Feb 24, 2009 erwin james is writing a book called legion of honour, based on his experiences in the french foreign legion. Salazar is a born adventurer and romantic and was not content with his job with siemens in chicago, where. Americans struggle to meet the french foreign legions high. The french foreign legion is a complete, captivating study of the famed fighting force, from its inception in 1831 to modern times. I thought it was a good read set in the algerian war and gives some good in sight to the legion. It refers to the legion itself, which is a branch of the french army commanded by. The legion absorbed many refugees who crowded into france as well as unemployed soldiers, such as members of the swiss regiments who had served the unpopular. Examining the organization of everyday life inside the regiments of the french foreign legion, this book takes its theoretical point of departure in the notion of the voluntary total organization. The author is very good at explaining military and technical issues in a. After serving 4 years in an artillery unit of the royal canadian army, evan enlisted in the legion etrangere in 1989 on a 5year contract. For the next six years he was consumed by the romantic notion of running away to join. In an age when most of the worlds armies strive to make military service a less bestial and more enlightened experience than it used to be, the legion still drives its trainees to. The foreign legions recruiting centers should be open 247365 yes, all year long officially.
Psi research staff and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Published on september 17, 2014 september 17, 2014 176 likes 35 comments. In an age when most of the worlds armies strive to make military service a less bestial and more enlightened experience than it used to be, the legion. Life in the french foreign legion by evan mcgorman, 9781555716332, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. How to start a new life in the french foreign legion the. Tales of the french foreign legion in the deserts of north africa have fired the imagination of many an adventurous school boy. The french foreign legion firsthand tips this website. Jan 01, 2010 in life in the french foreign legion, author evan mcgorman will perhaps disabuse you of that notion. In its early days, the french foreign legion tended to recruit downandout individuals. First let me say that i would not recommend joining the french foreign legion to anyone.
I was drawn to the french foreign legionthe subject of my new novel, gorgeous eastfor a variety of reasons. Surprisingly, it is quite difficult to find authoritative books about the legion. Martin windrow is series editor at osprey and an authority on the postwar french army, particularly the foreign legion. Books best sellers new releases childrens books textbooks australian authors kindle books audiobooks the french foreign legion and over 1. Nov 12, 2017 for almost 200 years, the french foreign legion has prided itself on offering a haven for men yearning for adventure and a new start in life. He discusses every aspect of legion life including the pros and cons of desertion. Lawrence writes with an easygoing fluidity of his life in the french foreign legion, particularly the 2 rep. However, whatever is stated on the legions official website, enlisting in the legion during monday to friday between 08. If peoples tales are to be believed there has been a. In life in the french foreign legion evan mcgorman writes about his personal experiences between 1989 and 1994 during his time with the elite corps.
Susan mary gillian travers 23 september 1909 18 december 2003 was an englishwoman who served in the french red cross as a nurse and ambulance driver during the second world war. Apr 22, 2016 the foreign legions motto is, tellingly, not a pledge of allegiance to france, but to one another. Nov 12, 2012 its the dark romance of the french foreign legion. How spending 5 years in the french foreign legion helped. Several versions of beau geste, for example, have exploited this theme to dramatic effect.
Legionnaires need war, certainly, and afghanistan is winding down. Im happy to be out though living the good life in america. When it was founded, the french foreign legion was. Another in a long list of legion books that ive read. Feb 10, 2019 yes it is still possible, as explained by the other people who commented. History uniforms headgear insignia weapons equipment by raymond guyader aug 28, 2014 4. Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Id personally highly recommend it as a very interesting,enjoyable read. Brand new hardcover issued without jacket 204pp map after serving in the danish army, aage joined the french foreign legion in 1923 and in febuary of that year arrived in french morocco where he joined the 1st bn, 2nd for. Life in the french foreign legion new books in politics. Life in the french foreign legion ebook by evan mcgorman. In life in the french foreign legion, evan mcgorman writes about his personal experiences between 1989 and 1994 during his time with the elite corps. Dec 06, derek mcgomran rated it really liked it shelves.
Entry requirements and conditions to engage part 2. Chief among them has to do with a foolish weakness for old things. Jun 29, 2017 a new book by jeanvincent blanchard examines the legendary, vicious and racist french foreign legion, whose soldiers marched in 50c heat till their boots filled with blood. Now, as a grownup archaeologist, his investigation of an abandoned fort of the french colonial empire is bringing those stories to. The french foreign legion presented by simon murray most legionnaires have nothing to lose and life itself is not held very dear.
Google books after about a year in corporate america, jaime salazar realized he wanted more in life. How else can one explain the fact that the french foreign legion is heavily overrecruited. Oct 14, 2010 the world contains more misfits, sadists, masochists, and people who enjoy fighting than we sometimes like to suppose. The world contains more misfits, sadists, masochists, and people who enjoy fighting than we sometimes like to suppose.
Dien bien phu and the french defeat in vietnam by martin windrow, our f. The tigers of tonkin the history of the french foreign legion in indochina 18831945. In 1983, evan mcgorman read a magazine article about the french foreign legion and was amazed to discover it still existed. Read life in the french foreign legion how to join and what to expect when you get there by evan mcgorman available from rakuten kobo. How spending 5 years in the french foreign legion helped me find direction. The usual tough training regime, but gareths time in the legion seemed a lot happier than some of the books detailing later years. Today, the legion is as contemporary an infantry and lightarmoured corps as you will find anywhere while still. The book starts off well giving a very detailed account of the almost impossible and barbaric selection process of the french foreign legion. French foreign legion french foreign legion history. French foreign legion soldiers were toughest in the world. The french foreign legion accepts recruits from all over the world.
Legion of the lost lays to rest romantic myths about the french foreign legion forever. Is it still possible to escape everything, by joining the. The french foreign legion is commonly portrayed in literature as a refuge for the wronged, as well as scoundrels and fugitives from justice. Best books about the french foreign legion from the past. Ive read this book several times and am going back to it again. Historian douglas porch chronicles the legions involvement in spain, mexico, indochina, madagascar, wwi, vietnam, and algiers to name a few and delves into the inner workings of legionnaires and their captains. As an integral part of the french army, the french foreign legion is a professional fighting unit using the same equipment and with the same missions as any other infantry, tank, or engineer unit of the french army.
Many of the legends you grew up with no longer apply, so. Americans struggle to meet the french foreign legions. Dien bien phu and the french defeat in vietnam 2004. The foreign legions motto is, tellingly, not a pledge of allegiance to france, but to one another. Jul 09, 2017 the french foreign legion ffl is a military service branch of the french army established in 1831, unique because it was created for foreign recruits willing to serve in the french armed forces. If accepted to join the legion, they take your passport away and give you a new name and identity. The book gives an inside look at the french foreign legion. A new book by jeanvincent blanchard examines the legendary, vicious and racist french foreign legion, whose soldiers marched in 50c heat till their boots filled with blood. They are volunteers of any nationality, race or creed, always ready to serve france. In 1989, after having served four years in the royal canadian horse artillery, he went to france where he signed on for a fiveyear stint with the. In life in the french foreign legion, author evan mcgorman will perhaps disabuse you of that notion. The author is very good at explaining military and technical issues in a way that lay people can understand and appreciate. There is also this free copy of a book online how to join the french foreign legion i think by jameson it came out in 9798 and i think he served in the late 80s.
The french foreign legion ffl is a military service branch of the french army established in 1831, unique because it was created for foreign recruits willing to serve in the french armed forces. I found the book really interesting, exciting, amusing and sad. The word foreign in the name french foreign legion does not refer to faraway battlegrounds. Forget all your preconceptions about the french foreign legion. For almost 200 years, the french foreign legion has prided itself on offering a haven for men yearning for adventure and a new start in. In 1989, after having served four years in the royal canadian horse artillery, he went to france where he signed on for a fiveyear stint with the legion. I did not know much about this organisation before and the book has given me a great respect for it. Unfortunately as the book unfolds some members of the legion having achieved the ultimate accolade seem to lose all forms of self discipline as is the case in all military history and once on leave feel free to get drunk abuse. Forts of the french foreign legion world archaeology. When i get asked these questions i always start with caveat and say there are a lot better career choices for you and that remains the same. Legionnaires are highly trained infantry soldiers and the legion is unique in that it is open to foreign recruits willing to serve in the french armed forces. A member of the french foreign legion should serve as a good example of the former. Erwin james is writing a book called legion of honour, based on his experiences in the french foreign legion.
Mitchell, an irish amateur historian and a wellknown foreign legion insignia collector read more andrew j. Read download life in the french foreign legion pdf pdf. Created as a temporary expedient in a french army that otherwise barred foreigners from serving in its ranks, the french foreign legion. Books about the history and activities of the french foreign legion. Not within the last 20 but you could try legionnaire. I have lots of french foreign legion books, but this one is quite possibly my favourite. How to join and what to expect when you get there by evan mcgorman. She later became the only woman to be matriculated in the french foreign legion, having also served in vietnam, during the first indochina war. As a canadian teenager, mcgorman became entranced with the legendary image of the legion. Life in the french foreign legion navy general library.
A bit like the british sas, there is a plethora of works purporting to be informed and accurate, but most. The foreign legion was founded by king louisphilippe on march 9, 1831, as a military unit to support the conquest of algeria, which the french had invaded the previous year. Life after the legion a french foreign legion forum. The french foreign legion presented by simon murray.
In july 2019, a new book dedicated to the french foreign legion and its history was released. The literary life of the french foreign legion publishing. I like the honesty with which the author describes his mental change into something of a psychopath. The french war in indochina 194654 and the critically acclaimed the last valley. The legion absorbed many refugees who crowded into france as well as unemployed soldiers, such as members of the swiss regiments who had. The hard truth about the foreign legion by max hastings. French foreign legion in popular culture wikipedia. This article was amended on wednesday february 25 2009. The legion is one elite kick ass corp with seems to do things very differently to other armies. Five years is a long time to commit to anything especially when your life is at stake. He is the author of the very successful menatarms 300.
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