Discover new books on Goodreads

See if your friends have read any of Colin Mustful's books

182 ratings | 17 reviews | avg rating:3.88

more photos (2)

Colin’s Year In Books

Colin’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Colin’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Colin’s 2025 Year in Books

Colin Mustful’s Followers (49)

Colin’s Bookshelves

to-read (11)
currently-reading (1)
read (190)
did-not-finish (0)

Colin’s Friends (9)

Jillian Forsberg

565 books | 113 friends

Annette

4,439 books | 1,617 friends

History Through Fiction

129 books | 22 friends

Stephanie Barko

518 books | 3,491 friends

Clara

772 books | 1,562 friends

Kathleen

1,327 books | 6 friends

Laura

3,834 books | 768 friends

Kendal Lou Dickson

80 books | 84 friends

More friends…

Colin Mustful

Goodreads Author

Website

https://www.colinmustful.com

Twitter

colinmustful

Genre

History, Historical Fiction

Member Since

November 2014

edit data

Colin Mustful writes a unique cross-genre utilizing elements of fiction and nonfiction in order to tell compelling stories that inform and entertain. The author’s work focusses on the tragic and complicated history surrounding the largely unknown and misunderstood event of the U.S. – Dakota War of 1862. Using a variety of sources, author Colin Mustful objectively considers this important part of Minnesota history through multiple perspectives and necessary historical context. The result is an educational narrative that includes fictional drama and a thought-provoking story.

In addition to his novels, the author has written several essays that delve into the subjugation and genocide of the Native American as well as the reasoning and justi Colin Mustful writes a unique cross-genre utilizing elements of fiction and nonfiction in order to tell compelling stories that inform and entertain. The author’s work focusses on the tragic and complicated history surrounding the largely unknown and misunderstood event of the U.S. – Dakota War of 1862. Using a variety of sources, author Colin Mustful objectively considers this important part of Minnesota history through multiple perspectives and necessary historical context. The result is an educational narrative that includes fictional drama and a thought-provoking story.

In addition to his novels, the author has written several essays that delve into the subjugation and genocide of the Native American as well as the reasoning and justifications for such actions by those who have sought to expel, erase, and destroy western indigenous cultures. One such work includes the author’s Master’s Thesis entitled, The Generation of 1837: Attitudes, Policies, and Actions Toward Indian Populations of Argentina. This particular work analyzes the extinguishment of Pampas Indians throughout the nineteenth century as influenced and justified through the words and works of a group of political and intellectual elite known as the Generation of 1837. Regarding the Dakota Indians of Minnesota, the author has completed several works such as an essay entitled,Unwarranted Expulsion: The Removal of the Winnebago Indians. This work discusses the exile of the Winnebago Indians from the state of Minnesota as a result of the Dakota War despite their very limited involvement in the conflict. The author has also completed a work titled, A Welcome Tragedy: Factors that Led to the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862 in which the author concludes that the U.S.-Dakota War was the foreseeable result of years of misconduct, fraud and exploitation which was fostered by a corrupt Indian system.

Colin Mustful resides in Roseville, Minnesota and has a Master of Arts in History from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Currently, he is studying for a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Augsburg University. In addition to writing, Colin is an avid soccer player and a frequent marathoner.
Colin Mustful resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a Master of Arts in History from Minnesota State University, Mankato. In addition to writing, Colin is an avid soccer player and a frequent marathoner. ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Colin Mustful questions, please sign up.

Combine Editions
Colin Mustful’s books

Average rating: 4.02 · 194 ratings · 62 reviews · 19 distinct works • Similar authors

	Reclaiming Mni Sota: An Alternate History of the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862 by Colin Mustful (Goodreads Author), Michael Loso (Contributor) 4.18 avg rating — 118 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Resisting Removal: The Sandy Lake Tragedy of 1850 by Colin Mustful (Goodreads Author), John Haymond (Editor) 3.67 avg rating — 27 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fate of the Dakota: A Novel and Resource on the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862 4.27 avg rating — 15 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Grace At Spirit Lake 3.14 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 2014 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ceding Contempt: Minnesota’s Most Significant Historical Event really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 10 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Authorial Intrusion and the Civil War Narrative: How to Write History Through Fiction it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Battle of Point Pleasant: A Critical Event at the Onset of a Revolution 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Confronting Minnesota's Past: A Resource to Test Your Understanding on the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862 by Colin Mustful (Goodreads Author), Sean Beggin (Introduction) liked it 3.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Thy Eternal Summer it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2013 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fate of the Dakota: A Novel and Resource On the U. S. - Dakota War of 1862 really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Colin Mustful…

200 posts
Colin Mustful's Blog

Research Is Not the Story: Turning Historical Events into Narrative Pressure

When I was invited to give a presentation for Escape the Plot Forest, a writing summit, I thought I would talk about plot. As I began preparing, however, I realized that the presentation was really about a change in the way I think about historical fiction.

For years, I structured my stories around history. I began with events, people, documents, and chronology. Over time, my thinking has shifted.

Colin is Currently Reading

Colin Mustful is currently reading

Pinnacle: Five Principles that Take Your Businesses to the Top of the Mountain

by Steve Preda (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Oct 27, 2025 06:49AM

Colin’s Recent Updates

Colin Mustful rated a book it was amazing All Different Kinds of Free by Jessica McCann (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3 hours, 38 min ago · like
Colin Mustful rated a book really liked it A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams by Stephanie Dray (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A Founding Mother is an excellent example of historically rich fiction that educates and entertains. Although the narrative drags in places and the history is thick, the story of Abigail Adams is simply amazing. The authors have done a magnificent jo ...more
Oct 30, 2026 05:56PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Colin Mustful rated a book liked it The Winter Folk by Jen Julian (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 27, 2026 11:53AM · like
Colin Mustful is currently reading A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams by Stephanie Dray (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 27, 2026 11:53AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Colin Mustful finished reading The Winter Folk by Jen Julian (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 27, 2026 11:52AM · like
Colin Mustful rated a book really liked it Stolen Culture, Traditions, and Heritage.: Good Thunder Woman - Wakiya Waste Win in Dakota. by Sharon Lennartson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Although it is in need of some editing, this is an honest, moving book about the author, her family, and her ancestors. It's also filled with a lot of excellent primary source documents. ...more
Sep 26, 2026 09:26AM · like · see review
Colin Mustful is currently reading The Winter Folk by Jen Julian (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 04, 2026 04:57PM · like
Colin Mustful rated a book really liked it The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is a fun read and a perfect dual timeline. The story moves along quickly and it's filled with drama, mystery, good character development, and just the right amount of tension. The only real drawback, for me, was that it lacked any significant hi ...more
Aug 27, 2026 03:12PM · like · see review
Colin Mustful is starting The Lost Apothecary The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner (Goodreads Author) progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 27, 2026 03:11PM · like · see status
Colin Mustful rated a book it was amazing Dear Writer, You Need to Quit (QuitBooks for Writers, #1) by Becca Syme (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
If you're a writer, you should read this book. This is a quick read filled with wonderful bits of wisdom, advice, and reminders that appeals not just to writers, but to humans. It takes only a few hours to get through but provides a lifetime of wisdo ...more
Aug 08, 2026 05:40AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Dear Writer, You Need to Quit by Becca Syme. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Dear Writer, You Need to Quit by Becca Syme <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">