Dreams of Eagles

Eagles #2

by William W. Johnstone

It was a virgin land of vast horizons...a land of dreams and dust and blood, where men sought glory and hope died hard. But for Jamie Ian MacCallister, who'd grown to manhood among Indians and fought at the Alamo, war and wilderness were home...and survival was a way of life. From the battlegrounds of Texas to the Colorado Rockies and the goldfields of California, Jamie MacCallister was one of a handful of daring pioneers blazing trails in the American West. Joining famed frontiersman Kit Carson on the first U.S. Army expedition from Missouri to the wide Pacific, he forged a future in a dawning era of greatness and greed that would stain the pages of history with blood - and make men like MacCallister into legends.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Historical

412 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.

Reviews

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Jamie’s adventures continue the reader is brought along for a ride through events that shaped the Wild West. Bloody, violent action while learning about the men who blazed a path across the West in the 1800’s - high school history was nothing like this!

[Jim A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent fictionalized history during the period of 1840's and 1850's. Follow the MacCallister family's adventures in their home valley in Colorado as well as around the west.

Reminds me very much of the work of Louis L'Amour and John Jakes. Tells a good story and keeps the reader interested in what was taking place in the country at the time

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am just beginning this as an audiobook with HooplaDigital. It is produced by GraphicAudio with a full cast of readers more like an old radio show. This can elevate a book and in the case of William W. Johnstone's work it certainly helps. I love his books having been introduced to Smoke Jensen many years ago. Like many other authors (notably Clive Cussler) every main character is well over 6' tall with piercing eyes and always wins the day to a level of becoming trite.

Still the stories are a fun listen and perfect for long drives. This second in the series is - so far - not disappointing. This is especially true now that the family/community is now in Colorado. I am quite certain they have settled (EITHER) in the Arkansas River Valley, near Salida and Buena Vista, Colorado or (MORE LIKELY) the valley with the town of Westcliffe. This features a "creek that runs through it" which is named Texas Creek. It flows off the Arkansas River.

I drive through this high Rocky Mountain valley almost weekly traveling from the San Luis Valley to points north including Salida, Buena Vista, Leadville and Summit County. From where I live, heading due east (over a 14,000' peak) lands you in the Westcliffe valley...about 14 miles as a crow flies!

They have just settled in the valley and I'm looking forward to more telltale hints of location!

I have tried to find more info on Johnstone's location influences but can not so any help is welcome.

The Smoke Jensen Rocky Mountain series is no exception with travels, travails and daring rescues in the Leadville area...though that one made me laugh at the ridiculousness of the distances travelled in winter and the mileage purportedly covered!

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anyone seeing the other reviews here will think I was reading a whole other book. I just found this Johnstone Clan entry to be strung together stories between a linear set of historical happenings. The stories all remind me of stories in many other Johnstone novels. I've recognized a repetition of stories before, but, at least, some had some differences. This entire book is full of yet to be written Johnstone books. I had to check my Goodreads list twice to be sure I hadn't read this before.

That even might be OK if the stories were good. But these stories have little complexity as earlier Johnstone Mountain Man stories or the recent Flintlock series. It's just a prolonged Mountain Man book over 400 pages of the same story over and over and over again. Good editing would've solved this.

How about presenting the offspring of the main character as something other than a carbon copy of the father. It's actually written blatantly that they are carbon copies! Not all are carbon copies. But those that are not carbon copies are barely heard from again.

There are hints of adding layers to the book involving a couple of young people who have a secret that gets revealed the hard way. (I know I've read this also in another Johnstone book). But this thread is in sharp contrast to the rest of the book and, thus, making it a clunky, out of place addition.

To me, this book is the product of scattered ideas on a table that got badly stitched together to create this volume.

Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 4 out of 10 points.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just now ventured into the world of western books and I think I was given a great series to start off in. Following the exploits of the MacCallister clan has been at the very least amusing. Starting in the early 1800's with the first book and now ending this one firmly in the 1860's at the start of the Civil War these books will take you on a journey through our country's beginnings with all the history and stories. William W. Johnstone has done a fantastic job at weaving the stories of this family with factual events of our country's trek into the west. You are immediately sucked in and become invested with at first a child Jamie MacCallister watching him grow and mature. As someone who loves all things history I have not been able to put these books down. I wholeheartedly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good story (saga) and loves history. I can't wait to finish out the Eagles series of books and continues on to other of this authors many books.

[Nolan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a reissue that the Johnstone clan put out. I decided to get it from the library, wasn’t sure if I read it or not. Hadn’t. Then maybe I had, and it didn’t stick in my mind as much as other stories have.

This is the second story in the series of the invincible Jamie Ian McCallister. This man can’t do anything wrong and never gets hurt is laughable and unrealistic. Around 50% of the story I was tired of it. Same thing happens over and over again. Rich bad men hired bad men to kill Jamie Ian McCallister. Some about his family. Gets old fast. I did finish the story at least.

Also, why do some many main characters are so rich 100 times over by finding a gold mine? Smoke Jensen, Preacher, Duff McCallister, Jame Ian McCallister. The author has to remind the reader about this twenty times in this book about the riches of Jamie Ian McCallister. 🙄

[Dirk Grobbelaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another high body count.

I quite like the historical context provided in these novels.

Dreams of Eagles is a fairly gritty story that covers the years following the events of Eyes of Eagles. This is only the second book in the series, but this is clearly becoming a sprawling family saga, even though the focus is still squarely on action (and lots of it).

Bonus: the book even contains a pie recipe.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is larger than most westerns and, even tho it is fiction, covers a lot of our western history. Large families were not so unusual in those days (even in the midwest we are descended from a family of 11 children) and now I can see how the author has set himself up to write an awful lot of stories about this extended family. He is a great story teller so I am looking forward to reading more about the MacCallisters.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best western novels I’ve ever read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wanted to five stars twice because these novels have two, and very often many multiples, of everything you might hope for in a western. Jamie Ian Maccalister is a man of few words but triple action. When it comes to killing he has super powers. So exciting and so very enjoyable.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about a few of the characters and history, but the story itself was standard fare. I have listened to others in the series and used to enjoy them. Maybe my tastes have changed with other series now that I have plenty of westerns in my listening library. I'll keep listening to a few to see where it stands.

[John Simko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family is everything

Once Jamie decides enough is enough, look out. Now that Falcon is following his fathers footsteps , the lowlife of the west better start running or start dying!

[Lynn Slezak · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Johnstone is a great suthor!

this story is wonderful! it expresses the pioneer spirit and the strength of the earlier settlers. My used book store said they wpildn th have a western section if it wasn't for Mr. Johnsyone.

[RICHARD LEWIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Legend Of Jamie MacCallister

Excellent story! Covers the period from Jamie's early life as a boy through his mountain man days as a trapper, raising his family, and up to the Civil War. Very descriptive, full of action and historical. I would highly recommend it!

[Kevin Key · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd part of Jaimie McCallister. Settling in McCallister Valley, He and Kate’s children grow up to adulthood. Jaimie goes from San Francisco to Yellowstone, eliminating bad guys.

[Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hope the west wasn't like that!

[Ishtiaque Alam Russel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just legendary.

[Ronald W. Gedney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done - moves right along.

[Mike Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it better than the first. More of their story, less of American History timeline that we'll follow forever

[michael b pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great escape reading. A little history mixed in with the story line. Some of the fight scenes are way out there but still enjoyable. I will buy the sequel.

[Arthur Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well written book by the author. Four stars for all the killing throughout the book.

[Tony Gallardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual a Great story!

Mr. Johnstone is a master story teller.
The way he blends the characters is top of the line.
Nothing is better than not wanting to put a good book down

[Bill Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

McAllister series

Read two of the McAllister series and have enjoyed both of them. Looking forward to reading the next series. Good reading - keeps you spell bound.

[rick incremona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was damn good. I just wonder what happenedd to Jed (Moses's second son). Starting Talons of Eagles now!

[Terri Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This one flowed much better for me, really liked the story line. Can't believe that their already in their 50's, and I'm anxious to get started on the next in the series. Thanks.......
.....

[Lee Hollenbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love westerns and the Eagles series is one of my favorite series within the genre. Of the Eagles books, this has to be my favorite. Written in the style of an epic taking place over several years, it tells the story of a backwoodsman with an unwanted reputation as a gunfighter. The story is full of fast draws, outlaws, gunfights, and other wild stories. Johnstone also does a good job of interspersing history into his stories. In this story one of the battles the main character experiences is the last stand at the Alamo, and he also goes on the Louis and Fremont expedition. In my opinion, the writing quality is pretty good; not the greatest by any means, but it's entertaining. The reason I rate this so high is that it's nonstop western action, with a collection of "morals" interspersed. The author is clearly very conservative and his ideas really show quite clearly, not all of which I agree with, but for the most part they are noble ideas like chivalry and protecting your family. All in all, an entertaining, if not particularly challenging, read.

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

This book is full of historical facts and is typically interesting as are all books by this author. If only our politicians had the gumption to do their jobs just as represented in this tale.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful written: it keeps you on your toes, wanting and waiting to see what happens next. It also shows how a family love should work. It shows how evil people of the pass is still among us today; with the say attitudes.

[Jim Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually give 5 stars to any book, but in this case I had to. The writing is very tight. The action is in your face. The narrative flows superbly. It can take me almost 3 months to read a Warhammer 40k book but this one, just under 3 weeks. Onto book 3 Talons of Eagles.

[Yeva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, and I would probably read more from this series. The clan thing was a bit over the top, but all in all it was a good book.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel as I did the first in this series. I will read the rest of this series.