Legion of the Lost: The True Experience of An American in the French Foreign Legion

by Jaime Salazar

Revised edition, with a new foreword and afterword from the author.
‘From an air-conditioned Chicago office, Mr. Salazar took the express elevator straight to hell. Legion of the Lost is his story, the improbable, very funny tale of a sensitive, bookish child of Mexican immigrants who walked away from a promising career and, for romantic reasons, threw in his lot with a motley assortment of thugs, drunks, drug abusers and desperate refugees from the far corners of the earth. And those are the ones giving orders.’
New York Times

‘A story of horrifying institutionalised cruelty and incredible suffering, tempered with extraordinary camaraderie and mind-boggling fortitude. Legion of the Lost lays to rest romantic myths about the French Foreign Legion forever.’
Google Books

‘After about a year in corporate America, Jaime Salazar realized he wanted more in life. He wanted more than a big paycheck and a BMW. Salazar is a born adventurer and romantic and was not content with his job with Siemens in Chicago, where he was part of the technical sales teams. His ideals led him to the French Foreign Legion.’
The Purdue Exponent

“Salazar presents a mix of honor, esprit de corps, and servitude that seems to part of another century. The mystique of the French Foreign Legion is ripped away. Salazar’s story is as interesting as it is unexpected.”
Evil Cyclist blog

‘A colorful, detailed, and brisk account of the blood, beatings, binge drinking, racism, and occasional satisfaction and pride from his time with the Legion. Salazar’s prose marches along like a fit Legionnaire, largely un-ornamented yet getting the job done quickly and effectively, with all the dirt, swearing, and gunpowder one would expect from a military memoir. Legion of the Lost should prompt serious reflection about commitment, discipline, meaning, and purpose in life.’
Good Reads

“I thought this book was fantastic. A true insight into a fascinating world that we know little about. The trials, tribulations and hardships of the legion,and the reasons why it calls so many.A compelling read.”
Gillian Ashton - Librarian

No army is more surrounded by mystery, romance, and admiration than the French Foreign Legion. King Louis Philippe II created the Foreign Legion in 1831 as a way to rid France of penniless immigrants and others considered a liability to the French establishment. The Foreign Legion still exists today as an elite army of modern mercenaries from around the world, in the service of la France.

Considered a haven for the dregs of society, joining the Foreign Legion was rumoured to be simple, but it wasn’t. Getting out of the Foreign Legion, as Salazar soon realised, proved impossible. So what was an engineering professional doing in the “Legion of the Damned”? For those Dostoevsky calls the “insulted and the injured,” men of character who seek adventure in the most obscure places, the Legion offers refuge. After surrendering his passport, and with it, any human rights, the Legion gave Salazar a new name and life.

Even after finishing four months of what the Legion calls instruction, Salazar realized that his existence wasn’t like that of Gary Cooper in Beau Geste. It was more a primitive life of beatings, marches, fanatical discipline, and sadistic NCOs. Idealists looking for a new beginning come to the Legion, but only the toughest, and cruelest are left to wear the Legion headdress, the képi blanc.

Once enlisted, there are three ways to leave the finishing one’s five-year contract, disability, or leaving in a box. While serving a term in Legion prison, Salazar came up with a fourth solution — escape.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, History

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. Jaime Salazar is the 2021 Nautilus Book Award silver medalist for Mutiny of Rage. He is also a practicing lawyer, engineer, and soldier. For two decades, he has resided in Houston, Texas. Known by his family as L’Enfant Terrible, Salazar was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana.

Reviews

[Checkman · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's taken me a while to review this......book. Here's why.

A young man, Purdue graduate, destined to climb the ladder of corporate America. That's Jaime Salazar. Good looking, one assumes charming (if his biography is to be believed) and popular with the ladies. Ahh but the poor boy wants more out of life. At least for a few months. You know - a sabbatical. Maybe get some great research material, write a book, then move into corporate America. Like a young prince who is allowed to sow his wild oats before finally assuming the mantle (cloak?Oh who cares) of his destiny.

Hey here's an idea. Join the French Foreign Legion. Get some material,enjoy some sexual conquests, then go AWOL and go back to Texas. Write a book. Go into the gas and oil business. Makes lots of money. Brag about your Legion days to all your corporate buddies on Sundays ,at the boss's house, while drinking imported beer and smoking expensive cigars. Cool.

So is it obvious that I didn't like the book or the author? At least
Edward Conlon author of Blue Blood actually completed his New York City Police training and then went on to have a sixteen career career (1995-2011) as a police officer. Salazar went for a few months as a Legionaire and then quit.

I have no respect for Salazar and I despise both him and this dreck that he wrote. Don't waste your time reading it.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four pages in, Salazar explains the impetus for his adventure in a devastating critique of mindless toil and consumerism: "I realized that if I dedicated my entire lifetime to the company I might eventually end up with a six-figure salary and the title of vice president of some obscure division. I'd become a small tile in the corporate mosaic and then I'd die. My descendants would gobble up their inherited trust fund, and a few years after that, I'd be forgotten."

There are questions that have occurred to young men of all generations: what should I be doing with my life? Could I handle a true test of manhood? Purdue engineering grad Jaime Salazar ditches his fast-track job in corporate America, emigrates to France, and joins the Foreign Legion in an attempt to grapple with these questions, but ends up getting much more satisfying answers to the second question than the first. Along the way, however, he provides a colorful, detailed, and brisk account of the blood, beatings, binge drinking, racism, and occasional satisfaction and pride from his time with the Legion.

Salazar's prose marches along like a fit Legionnaire, largely un-ornamented yet getting the job done quickly and effectively, with all the dirt, swearing, and gunpowder one would expect from a military memoir. Periodically, however, Salazar pauses for serious introspection, and the quotations heading each chapter (from other pieces) touch on the masochistic to mystical relationship soldiers have had with the Legion. Since it is a memoir, the book does not end with a neat moment of enlightenment, only more questions. But even for those that would never consider military service, Legion of the Lost should prompt serious reflection about commitment, discipline, meaning, and purpose in life.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a little hard to appreciate the author's writing style. Towards the middle of the book the author gets into a repeating loop of similar events that don't really seem to go anywhere until the last few pages. The book does provide an interesting glimpse into the Foreign Legion, though skewed by the author's own egotism. As the last reviewer said it might be better to find a book written by someone that had garnered more experience before writing a book.

[Bobby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting story of the brutal life of a Legionnaire. The book was well written and pulled you in. My major complaint was the frequent use of French words and phrases without any attempt to offer a translation. I frequently had to stop and look up words and phrases just to know what was being talked about.

[Jennifer Lednicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trash. The target audience of this is immature soldiers in their 20s vice me, a 49 year old woman, even though I have 27 yrs of military service. Violent, stupid decisions, drinking and sex is the content. The book was free — picked it up on a base when about to head home from deployment — I read it to get it out of my house, and I’m surprised I finished it.

[Best Pants · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't stop reading. If you want a book about struggle and being completely out of your comfort zone look no further.

Salazar went on a journey to try to find himself, the French Foreign Legion was how he decided to do it. He relates his thoughts and experiences quite clearly and gives a detailed account of daily life in the Legion circa 1999. He describes the Legion's recruitment, training, and organization in a way that had me absorbed and ready to continue reading at all times.

This is a memoir so each encounter is colored with his own expectations and perceptions. He had no prior military experience when joining and this no doubt affected how he interpreted his time in the Legion. Especially since he self identifies as a "gentleman soldier". Truly captivating nonetheless.

I have my own personal opinions about his charater and personality. This doesn't mean I don't like the guy but I sincerely disagree with his assessment of himself and others. Some things that really stuck out to me were his standards for excellence, injustice, and efficiency. Just my thoughts addressing bits of his standards: 6th place isn't anything to write home about, if you are given a fake identity by an organization and they take your old one away they OWN you, and If you think two hours is too long for you to clean a weapon but at the end of two hours your weapon is still dirty then two hours is not enough.

A great read.

Favorite Character: Mikhailov, a former spetsnaz operator that clearly felt life in the Legion was a walk in the park.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting novel describing the adventures of Salazar and his experiences in the Foreign Legion. It is a gripping tale and hard to put down.

[Thomas Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any romantic notion I ever had about the modern French Foreign Legion (history and mythology aside) has been dispelled.

[Bryan Bulnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book if you are curious at all about the French Foreign Legion, and this book is especially interesting if you want to join the Legion. I recommend reading it.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK!!

[Jonas Van Riel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give it 3.5 stars (7/10). It’s nothing special, but it’s an easy read and perfect if you’re not in the mood for complex storylines or plot twists. And somehow quite interesting to learn about life in the foreign legion.

[KarnagesMistress]

I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. It is autographed.

[Nicholas Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy stories about survival, high adventure, and underdog's, then I suggest that you should read this book. This book was a good story to read due to the constant suspense of whether or not Jaime was going to survive, give up hope, or desert the Foreign Legion. This story is somewhat reminds me of an underdog story, due to the fact that even though Jaime is constantly put down by his superiors, he stills tries and quite often succeeds in getting the better of his superiors, by proving what he is made of. Overall this story was excellent because it lets you know even though troubles may come, you will still be able to overcome them if you persevere. This book was a little slow and repetitive at times but it was still enjoyable.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

4/5 Stars, worth reading but nothing I would run out and buy. It's a good story, I mean, how many Americans actually rush out and join the French Foreign Legion? And then desert and run away to stay in Europe for a girl that turns out not to want anything serious or some such. Sorry I can't give a more detailed review, I read it about three years ago.

[Cheyenne Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book giving an inside perspective to running off and joining the French Foreign legion. Though not an action packed tale of war it is a no less compelling telling of rough training the legionnaire's go through. As well as the type of people such a life attracts.

[Abram · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book looked like it had promise but it turned out really bad. I was very let down.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pure shat.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a memoir of a US college grad joining the military, try Jarhead instead.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat disappointing read. I was hoping for more action, but it focuses almost entirely on his decision to join and then the training. I think he could have used a stronger editor.

[Maxo Marc]

A great story and filled with great insight into this mysterious fighting force.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started the book thinking it would be something similar to 'The Damed DIe Hard' - but it was not. A story of an American who joined the Fresh Foreign Legion and then deserted. Not recommended.

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legion of the Lost: The True Experience of an American in the French Foreign Legion by Jamie Salazar is the story of one American's experience in the French Foreign Legion. Salazar is a graduate of Purdue University and employed by Siemens before joining the Legion. He has earned his law degree and currently works in Houston, Texas in the energy sector.

We all at one time or another have an urge to run off and do something "extreme." After high school, I joined the Marines, but that was more youthful patriotism than escaping. The French Foreign Legion was something that I read about and occasionally saw portrayed in movies. The idea of serving in France had no appeal to me.

The Legion was formed in 1831 specifically for foreigners to fight for France. Typically it attracted people on the run or people looking for some place to hide. It did, too, attract some idealists but they were the minority. In Salazar's time, the legion still attracted the same crowds. Salazar seems to be different in his reasons for joining. He wanted something different than engineering sales and life behind a desk. He joined for what he didn't want more than for what he wanted.

Salazar describes the brutality in the daily life of a Legionnaire. From "boot camp" through being a junior legionnaire violence from noncommissioned officers (NCOs) was a part of daily life. It wasn't just the NCOs. Various "mafias" existed English speakers, Russians, Eastern Europeans who didn't seem to mind violence on their counterparts. Unlike the Marines where every race is green, the Legion doesn't seem to support racial harmony. The violence is far more than I would have expected. I assume that a combat ready group of "thugs" would be looking to vent in a peace time environment. Violence, drinking, and drugs became the norm.

Salazar presents a mix of honor, esprit de corps, and servitude that seems to part of another century. The mystique of the French Foreign Legion is ripped away and replaced with small patches pride and accomplishment in a sea of misery. In many ways, the Legion seemed like a prison with sadistic guards and rival "gangs." Although loyalty is to the Legion it does not seem to be enough to form group cohesion and effectiveness. Other services rely on nationalism and patriotism to create unity and avoid possible personal (racial and ethnic) conflicts. Salazar's story is as interesting as it is unexpected.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll get to the praise in my review shortly, but I need to immediately relay that this was unequivocally one of the worst edited books I’ve ever read. The beginning of the book was predicated on inconsistencies and spelling and grammatical errors. The book’s sloppiness drew my ire toward the author at first, but I eventually thought, how dare the publisher not save Mr. Salazar from his own amateur authoring (for which he cannot be blamed since he was indeed an amateur author at the time of writing). The Penguin Group should be ashamed of itself for this one. Substantively, the book is an enjoyable read; Salazar is a decent writer, he effectively uses understatement and humor, and he paints a vivid, candid picture of both the Legion and himself. However, he lost me at times when it was so blatantly obvious that he needed the reader to know that he 1. was very smart 2. had a LOT of sexual relations. I fall victim to chastising most memoir writers for sounding arrogant, likely unfairly, but some of the content was nauseating. I have very specific thoughts about the author, but I won’t elaborate any more because I’ve never actually met him. Overall, I give him props for the clarity and truth in his his work and will potentially thank him someday for dissuading yours truly from joining the French Foreign Legion.

[Jonathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

You catch the distinct scent of bullshit throughout this book. Everything in this book points to the authors experiences being wildly exaggerated or flat out fabricated. He deserts the legion after a few months but still acts as though he were a hardened legionnaire and mercenary. At one point he even says he wouldn’t have deserted if he’d been sent into a combat situation. By all accounts, he’d be about the last person you’d want to share a foxhole with.

[Ken Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Salazar's description of the brutalities of serving in the Legion made me remember my USMC days except his was many times worse. I remember he punches and kicks and blood in my boots---the difference being that once out of boot camp and initial infantry training it ended. And our physical training was much easier than the Legion

[Wesley Harney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for a inside look at the FFL and from an interesting perspective but what you get is about 90 pages of basic training and then boozing around France. Some interesting history that I feel like I have to fact check and that leads me to wonder how much of this book can be trusted, if it's true it seems like a wasted opportunity.

[Mr C Wigginton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic look at the legion etranges

A decent account of the authors experiences in the French Foreign Legion. Unfortunately his experience was mainly in France rather than abroad where the Legion made their name.

[ED Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever considered joining the French Foreign Legion read this book and reconsider. You will immediately recognize that would be a very stupid idea!

[Wallace Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually really insightful and funny! Really enjoyed reading this!

[Francis X DuFour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-opening

The French Foreign Legion is a great place for masochists. When there is no one to fight, they fight each other. But once it’s in your blood..,