Alan Maas

Alan Maas developed a deep love for history at an early age, inspired by great teachers and authors like Frederick Manfred. That passion only deepened during his years as a forester and explorer in the Black Hills, where history wasn’t just studied—it was walked, touched, and uncovered firsthand.

From retracing the route of Custer’s 1874 expedition to exploring abandoned mines and discovering names carved in stone, Maas immersed himself in the rich heritage of the land. His fascination with the Thoen Stone and South Dakota’s early pioneers led him to write The Kind Whisper, a novel that blends historical fact, legendary figures, and fictional storytelling to bring the past to life.

The success of The Kind Whisper led to its sequel, The Kind Redemption, and the creation of The Kind Legacy Series. Together, these novels follow the fictional character Eli Kind, weaving him through real events such as the Thoen Stone mystery, the Custer and Newton-Jenney expeditions, the Black Hills gold rush, and the founding of towns like Deadwood and Spearfish.

Maas continues his exploration of history with A Nation Without Reservation, the first book in The Nations of the Plains series—an ambitious reimagining of the American West at a turning point.

Set in the aftermath of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the novel asks a powerful question: What if the nations of the Plains had not been conquered—but had instead united?

As the United States Army struggles to respond to a shifting and unfamiliar strategy, Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Comanche leaders—including Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, and Quanah Parker—move beyond resistance toward something unprecedented: unity. What follows is not just war, but the emergence of a nation the United States never expected to face.

At the center of the story is Mato Ska, a young Lakota recorder tasked with preserving the voice of a people determined to endure. Through his eyes—and across battlefields, tribal councils, and the halls of Washington during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant—the novel explores a moment where history could have taken a very different path.

Through both The Kind Legacy Series and The Nations of the Plains, Maas brings history to life while challenging readers to look at it from new perspectives—not just as it was, but as it might have been.

“I’ve always been fascinated by history—not for the dates and numbers, which never seemed to stick, but for the stories and the way everything connects,” he says. “My goal is to weave history into stories that are both educational and entertaining. Every time I uncover a new detail from the past, I’m struck by how often it connects to something we still wrestle with today.”

For Maas, research is essential. “There are always multiple sides to every story, and understanding the full picture takes time. Never pass up the chance to hear a story or have a conversation—you never know where it might lead or what you’ll discover.”

You can also find his audiobooks on Google Play.