Tony Hillerman has been involved with Native American culture from his childhood in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, to his present-day position living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as dean of mystery writers and devotee of Navajo, Hopi, and Kiowa cultures. His respect for these rich Indian cultures of the American Southwest not only has won him a huge and devoted readership, it has also been acknowledged by a plaque presented him by the Navajo Tribal Council declaring him a "Special Friend Of The Dineh" as "an expression of appreciation and friendship for authentically portraying the strength and dignity of traditional Navajo culture." The Navajos and a good many other tribes use his books in their schools. His authentic knowledge of and respect for the Navajo culture has informed a significant body of fiction including First Eagle, published in 1998. In it, he has again brought together his two memorable...