Rating: 
Summary: Always Excellent
Review: Not the best book from Hillerman, but one of his lesser wokrs is still mighty fine. It's not so much the story that gets you, but the characters, the clash of cultures and the scenery. Maybe the story is not as interesting as some of his others, but this is thoroghly enjoyable. I can't wait for more.
Rating: 
Summary: Not much of a mystery but a nice visit with friends
Review: I love Tony Hillerman for the characters and the background scenery and society. Usually his mysteries keep me guessing but this one was so obvious that I knew who did from the first introduction of the character. The premise was interesting and kept me reading. If you like Chee, Leaphorn, and their environment it's definitely worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: Should have had more of a punch....
Review: I've read most of the Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee novels and have liked them all bar none. The First Eagle is anotehr good read and probably deserves a higher rating, if not lacking a few minor but important attributes which usually makes this series so good.1st- Though the story had me guessing the whole time (it truly was a mystery up to the end), I was let down by how anti-climatic it was. Everything is literally wrapped up in just a few pages, a big let down for me after guessing the whole way through. 2nd- Though there is still the blend of Native American folklore and religion, it is very toned down in this book. I liked this series for the sheer fact that Tony Hillerman mixed in a lot of Native American customs and culture in his past books, but it was not as apparent here. The book was still a great read, and actually begs for a follow up as we see further character development and new situations arising. Hope there is another. With this in mind, I probably should have given it 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Well, I thought it was good
Review: I had to write when I saw some of the negative reviews. Come on, people, it's Hillerman's book and I guess he can write what he wants and take his characters in any direction he wants. I felt Chee's character was developed more and, yes, he continues to struggle with his idea of the good life versus Janet Peete's, (Jim, she ain't worth it. Go after Bernie!!!) and he still feels inadequate next to Leaphorn's legend. But he is finding he is capable and I am sure will gain in confidence. Gee, if you people want realistic writing don't expect the characters' problems and insecurities to just disappear. Do yours? Leaphorn is making an effort to keep busy after retirement and Hillerman succeeds in keeping him interesting and important to plot. I found the plague plotline interesting as I had just read several newspaper accounts of real plague outbreaks in that area. Wow! How very timely of Mr. Hillerman. The medical and scientific descriptions were not hard to follow and I felt they helped flesh the story out more. The naysayers to all that detail(they had better not read Robin Cook or Michael Crichton) were probably intimidated by it, but Hillerman makes it easy for us ordinary folks. One more point to defend. Some say the plot's too slow. Well, I felt it moved along quite nicely, was suspenseful and it most certainly made sense! And, anyway, haven't you people learned anything about Navajo patience and all that stuff in your other readings?
Rating: 
Summary: Coasting
Review: From most authors, this would be an impressive book. From Hillerman, it is not. He's coasting with this one -- worth reading, but don't buy it. I checked mine out of the library.
Yes, it has Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, and it's set on the reservation. But the precipitating conflict is between two non-Native American researchers on the reservation. Leaphorn gets hired by one of the researcher's parents to solve her disappearance. Glimpses of Navajo culture and thinking, and Hopi culture, are here. But they are only glimpses, of what was fully laid out in exquisite and compassionate detail in Hillerman's previous books.
As other reviewers note, this appears to be a "rush" book. I finished it in less than 24 hours after I picked it up. The hardback edition is 278 pages long, _but_ there are 31 lines per page, instead of the typical 40+ lines per page most hardbacks have. If you've heard great things about Hillerman, they're true -- but NOT in this book. Please start with one of his others.
Rating:
Summary: Hillerman is getting better again.
Review: I used to enjoy Hillerman, but the last few books before First Eagle and Fallen Man left me feeling that he had run out of material. Well, even if he's stealing stuff from John McPhee, I really enjoyed Fallen Man, and I think he's getting even better with First Eagle. I enjoy a good knotty plotline and both of these books deliver. One more note, quite frankly, I never really could stand Janet Pete. Chee needs to stop moping and go after Bernie.
Rating:
Summary: This book falls short of Hillerman's earlier works.
Review: Hillerman has written many great stories. This is not one of them. I love visualizing the landscape painted by Hillerman and the characters he develops with Longhorn and Chee. However he did not do either of these things with his usual adeptness. He appears to have written this one in a hurry. The details are lacking, the characters a re stagnant, and at one point dialog actually becomes confused. The First Eagle does not rate with HIllerman's earlier works. I will still anxioulsy await Hillerman's next release
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't compare with Fallen Man
Review: After "Fallen Man," I had been anxiously awaiting Tony Hillerman's next novel, and was elated when I found it at our local library this past week. However, I have to admit I was quite disappointed. With "Fallen Man," I thought that Mr. Hillerman was going to expand Jim Chee's character...make him "blossom," so to speak. Unfortunately, he took one step forward in that direction, but three back in "The First Eagle." Also, I have to agree with an earlier posting that Jim Chee and Janet Pete's relationship has remained stagnant long enough. Mr. Hillerman, push Jim Chee ahead WITHOUT! Janet Pete! Although I thought the book began well, it seemed as if Mr. Hillerman didn't know what direction to take with this novel. Furthermore, I felt he was way out of his element on the bubonic plague storyline. I am all for his sticking with traditional Navajo storylines! In summation, although I was disappointed with "The First Eagle," I'm hoping Mr. Hillerman's next novel will be back on par with his earlier works!
Rating: 
Summary: ONE OF THE MOST SATISFYING HILLERMAN MYSTERIES
Review: The First Eagle is one of the best ones yet written by Hillerman. A very tightly woven plot, great characters (Chee and Leaphorn) and a great cast of supporting characters made this hard to put down once I started it. I savored all the southwest imagery that Hillerman manages to convey so clearly and marveled at the way he can bring the Navaho culture to such vivid life. I think the only drawback might be that those who are not fans of Chee/Leaphorn might find this a bit hard to understand, but for the rest of us, its a great, satisfying book with a terrific ending. I only wish Hillerman would write more of these gems.
Rating: 
Summary: Plodding and stale.
Review: Let's get to the bottom line. Save your $ and several hours of your precious time. If you must read it, simply check it out of the library. Don't waste your money on the future paperback edition. Woefully disappointing. I found myself relieved to finally get to the end of a very draggy yarn. Next time, Tony, don't bother trying to impress us with your research on the plague.
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