What do you think?
Rate this book
Escaping the Amazon
Alex de Bruyn was still in his early twenties as he stared out forlornly into the vast Atlantic Ocean from the French Guiana shore. Decades prior, Papillon and Dreyfus contemplated the same thoughts of escape.
Following a boyhood dream and quest for glory, de Bruyn joined the French Foreign Legion. To thwart desertion, he was shipped off to a backwater French colony in the Amazon, serving in the elite jungle unit, the 3e REI. Given a false identity, de Bruyn proved himself an extraordinary legionnaire. But well into his first contract, he became disenchanted by life in a rogue army where one was ordered to kill upon demand. Without a passport, de Bruyn decided to risk his life and escape modern-day Devil’s Island by sea. In the process, he dodged local gangs, drug kingpins, and was falsely imprisoned.
Finally, in a rickety dinghy, during hurricane season, he commenced his suicidal attempt to cross the Atlantic. Half-drowned and dying of thirst, de Bruyn was prepared to lose his life, but in the divine process of surviving, he found it. This is his white-knuckle account of pain, glory, and redemption.
Following a boyhood dream and quest for glory, de Bruyn joined the French Foreign Legion. To thwart desertion, he was shipped off to a backwater French colony in the Amazon, serving in the elite jungle unit, the 3e REI. Given a false identity, de Bruyn proved himself an extraordinary legionnaire. But well into his first contract, he became disenchanted by life in a rogue army where one was ordered to kill upon demand. Without a passport, de Bruyn decided to risk his life and escape modern-day Devil’s Island by sea. In the process, he dodged local gangs, drug kingpins, and was falsely imprisoned.
Finally, in a rickety dinghy, during hurricane season, he commenced his suicidal attempt to cross the Atlantic. Half-drowned and dying of thirst, de Bruyn was prepared to lose his life, but in the divine process of surviving, he found it. This is his white-knuckle account of pain, glory, and redemption.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2018
29 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Alex De Bruyn
2 books31 followersAlex de Bruyn is a young man with an unsustainable hunger for adventure. He grew up in Johannesburg and spent much of his time, from a young age, searching for challenges to pursue. For as long as he can remember, he desired the glory that comes with being the best at something. With six sisters, of whom only one was younger than him, he felt an additional pressure to out-perform the older guys who befriended his older sisters.
Alex is blessed with parents who supported every outrageous idea he came up with, which gave him space to dream of achieving the impossible. This made it very difficult to stay focused on schoolwork let alone contemplate getting a degree. However, his parents were also wise and insisted he get his tertiary education before pursuing any wild adventures. So he knuckled down and managed to achieve an honours degree. For this, he will be eternally grateful to his parents for their own stubborn insistence.
With his education under his belt, the world of adventure finally opened up to him. He had no interest in settling down to an ordinary life with an ordinary job instead, he launched himself into what most would have called an absurd pursuit. Drawn in by the intrigue of adventure, he joined the French Foreign Legion.
Alex believed that joining the French Foreign Legion would make him extraordinary. After being posted in French Guiana, South America he soon realised that the Legion was not what he expected it to be and going AWOL in South America plunged him into a spiraling search for elusive glory. Along the way he encountered cultures, underworlds, and the mighty Atlantic Ocean and an answer to his search in ways he would never have dreamed of.
Escaping the Amazon captures this portion of Alex’s story and resonates with any young man who ever dreamed of being something more.
Alex’s journey beyond the Legion brought him full circle back to his roots where he now works in Johannesburg as an entrepreneur. He is now using his education and his adventure experiences to achieve the extraordinary and he keeps on striving to change the world.
Through his journey, he has found his way back to the following of Christ, who is the full focus of his faith.
Alex is blessed with parents who supported every outrageous idea he came up with, which gave him space to dream of achieving the impossible. This made it very difficult to stay focused on schoolwork let alone contemplate getting a degree. However, his parents were also wise and insisted he get his tertiary education before pursuing any wild adventures. So he knuckled down and managed to achieve an honours degree. For this, he will be eternally grateful to his parents for their own stubborn insistence.
With his education under his belt, the world of adventure finally opened up to him. He had no interest in settling down to an ordinary life with an ordinary job instead, he launched himself into what most would have called an absurd pursuit. Drawn in by the intrigue of adventure, he joined the French Foreign Legion.
Alex believed that joining the French Foreign Legion would make him extraordinary. After being posted in French Guiana, South America he soon realised that the Legion was not what he expected it to be and going AWOL in South America plunged him into a spiraling search for elusive glory. Along the way he encountered cultures, underworlds, and the mighty Atlantic Ocean and an answer to his search in ways he would never have dreamed of.
Escaping the Amazon captures this portion of Alex’s story and resonates with any young man who ever dreamed of being something more.
Alex’s journey beyond the Legion brought him full circle back to his roots where he now works in Johannesburg as an entrepreneur. He is now using his education and his adventure experiences to achieve the extraordinary and he keeps on striving to change the world.
Through his journey, he has found his way back to the following of Christ, who is the full focus of his faith.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 24, 2019
This is an absolutely epic book of a young man searching for adventure in the French Foreign Legion, and his subsequent escape from it. The book is well written and hard to put down with some powerful messages. It is one of those books that let's you start thinking about things in your life and discover what really is important, and what really isn't. Highly recommended to any young person, in particular South Africans.
November 12, 2018
I loved reading this book. It is a very honest account of Alex's time serving in the French Foreign Legion and his daring, determined escape against all odds. In his account he brought clarity to many moral elements many of face. I was inspired and in awe of his courage to go through this experience while staying as true as possible to himself and his character as a person. It's a quick read that keeps you hooked. Alex is not a guy that let's the grass grow under his feet - he is always striving for more and adapting.
September 12, 2018
Action packed cover to cover, found it very hard to put down. Well written and to the point.
October 23, 2018
Very well written. Such insight into a different world. Gripping, could not put the book down till the very end. Also filled with facts that makes you want to read the book again.
January 1, 2019
I am so glad I finished this book on the first of a new year.
The authors took me on such a roller coaster of emotions as I truly felt like I was living Alex’s life with him.
The grippingness (if that’s a word) of the story had me compare my own circumstances to those of Alex’s and reflect on a year of challenges and victories of my own.
From moments of tears to fits of laughter Escaping the Amazon has me sitting on the edge of my seat from beginning to the end.
I have asked my son (who is about to start college) to read Alex’s story before making any stupid decisions.
Well written book of a really amazing story that truly has the power to change some people’s views of their circumstances.
The authors took me on such a roller coaster of emotions as I truly felt like I was living Alex’s life with him.
The grippingness (if that’s a word) of the story had me compare my own circumstances to those of Alex’s and reflect on a year of challenges and victories of my own.
From moments of tears to fits of laughter Escaping the Amazon has me sitting on the edge of my seat from beginning to the end.
I have asked my son (who is about to start college) to read Alex’s story before making any stupid decisions.
Well written book of a really amazing story that truly has the power to change some people’s views of their circumstances.
November 24, 2018
What a read. Fast paced and gripping. What these guys endured is something remarkable and a true testimony to God having a plan whether you are aware of it or not. Would highly recommend this book.
November 26, 2018
Really enjoyed this read. I am not a Christian myself so didn’t have much of an emotional connotation to that part of the story. Pretty well written. Well done to the authors to capture Alex’s story in such a gripping way...
November 4, 2018
Excellent Red
This was an excellent book... Written in the quick writing style that I love. It's an honest account of a mans life yet speak about all men who want the adventure and yet long for normality. It's the strange antithesis of a mans quest. Book can be read in under 3 hours.
This was an excellent book... Written in the quick writing style that I love. It's an honest account of a mans life yet speak about all men who want the adventure and yet long for normality. It's the strange antithesis of a mans quest. Book can be read in under 3 hours.
November 24, 2018
Exceptional.... articulated in a way that keeps you interested from start to end. Alex’s characters remains humble through the book. Good to see a memoir that doesn’t try make the person into a hero.
November 25, 2018
Good insight into the Legion, with enough detail to imagine being there yourself. Would have enjoyed more war stories from other regiments and missions.
Essence of Alex’s journey is very well captured by the Authors.
Excellent read! Highly recommended.
Essence of Alex’s journey is very well captured by the Authors.
Excellent read! Highly recommended.
November 26, 2018
Well that just made me rethink a whole bunch of things in my life....
November 24, 2018
Amazing story. I would have enjoyed some pictures in it and is the reason I gave it a 4/5.
November 24, 2018
Mmmm.... if this story is true, impressed! But I am struggling to get my head around it’s validity.
Very well written though. Couldn’t put it down.
Very well written though. Couldn’t put it down.
November 25, 2018
Bought this for my husband, however I just couldn’t put it down once I started. I can’t imagine what Alex’s mother must have gone through. Brilliant.
November 25, 2018
What an action packed book. Brilliantly written... Really made me rethink what I consider to be challenges in life.
Read
December 4, 2018Escaping the Amazon is an easy read with a glimpse into the uncertainties and potential dangers in which one can unwittingly find oneself in life. The story is told without delusions of grandeur and the seriousness of some situations in which Alex finds himself is perhaps underplayed by the author, but for this very reason, it becomes a real story with little exaggeration used to gain effect.
The author succeeds in bringing out the reader's emotions throughout the book with scenes that will make one cry in empathy with Alex , and others that will make one laugh alongside him.
Alex's story might only be pertinent to a relatively short time in his life, but it is told from the heart and will surely ring true with many other young men who might be going through the same emotional dilemmas as he did.
The author succeeds in bringing out the reader's emotions throughout the book with scenes that will make one cry in empathy with Alex , and others that will make one laugh alongside him.
Alex's story might only be pertinent to a relatively short time in his life, but it is told from the heart and will surely ring true with many other young men who might be going through the same emotional dilemmas as he did.
February 12, 2019
An exhilarating account delving deep into the Spirit of a Legionnaire. Accurately portraying life in this famous and often misunderstood corps d’elite. The book flows effortlessly from typical military scenarios to deep personal introspection. An authentic read which I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the Legion, the Amazonian jungle, the ‘Blue Amazon’, the Amazon which is organized crime or the Amazon existing in every soul searching for something other than the mundane. Truly captivating, I couldn’t put it down until I had turned the last page. Alex, I salute you.
February 14, 2019
There are not many books about the legion that captures the true essence of the life behind this mysterious corps.
A true account of the struggles many soldiers deal with during their time, some can just deal with it longer than others.
Escaping the Amazon will ring true to so many people. Legionnaires that understand what the cafard is, as well as other young lads looking for meaning in their lives will relate to Alex’s journey and the battles he had to face.
Alex it was an honor to have known you.
Jaime, you were before my time. Great job on bringing Alex’s story to life.
A true account of the struggles many soldiers deal with during their time, some can just deal with it longer than others.
Escaping the Amazon will ring true to so many people. Legionnaires that understand what the cafard is, as well as other young lads looking for meaning in their lives will relate to Alex’s journey and the battles he had to face.
Alex it was an honor to have known you.
Jaime, you were before my time. Great job on bringing Alex’s story to life.
December 26, 2018
Got this book as a Christmas gift, yesterday and finished it by this morning. Just couldn’t put it down.
What an unbelievable story.
Alex has managed to stay humble throughout his journey with a gracious attitude to his circumstances.
Great job by Jaime and Keryn to capture the essence of Alex’s story...
Would love to see how Alex managed to integrate back into normality and what he is busy with now.
What an unbelievable story.
Alex has managed to stay humble throughout his journey with a gracious attitude to his circumstances.
Great job by Jaime and Keryn to capture the essence of Alex’s story...
Would love to see how Alex managed to integrate back into normality and what he is busy with now.
February 14, 2020
What a read!
Having read every French Foreign Legion book I can get my hands on, this one was certainly different... a fascinating true-life story that keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Having read every French Foreign Legion book I can get my hands on, this one was certainly different... a fascinating true-life story that keeps you on the edge of your seat!
February 25, 2020
This book truly has the potential for greatness. An amazing story that is very well articulated and conveyed by the authors.
I do expect that it will get somewhat mixed reviews as there will be certain people that do not relate to Alex’s story and judge it with a personal bias.
However objectively this story needs to be heard by many as I believe there will be many a lad that will vind value and relate elements of Alex’s journey to their own.
I do expect that it will get somewhat mixed reviews as there will be certain people that do not relate to Alex’s story and judge it with a personal bias.
However objectively this story needs to be heard by many as I believe there will be many a lad that will vind value and relate elements of Alex’s journey to their own.
January 4, 2019
I was hesitant to buy this book and read it, as I thought it was going to be a self proclaiming hero's tale. And how wrong I was.
This book is a humble and honest story of a man that made some interesting decisions as a youngster and almost lost his life because of it. I think we all have some sort of story where a decision made as a young man in hind sight might not have been the greatest one, albeit not all of those decisions get us as close to death as Alex and his mate's did.
Well done for sharing your story in such a well written book.
This book is a humble and honest story of a man that made some interesting decisions as a youngster and almost lost his life because of it. I think we all have some sort of story where a decision made as a young man in hind sight might not have been the greatest one, albeit not all of those decisions get us as close to death as Alex and his mate's did.
Well done for sharing your story in such a well written book.
December 28, 2018
I would highly recommend this book to any young lad that is nearing the end of his schooling and is still living life in a naive dream. This is a very concise reality check for those that need it.
At times I felt that unnecessarily vocabulary was used that could confuse a reader that is not well versed in the English language. However the message that the author is trying to convey remains clear at all times.
At times I felt that unnecessarily vocabulary was used that could confuse a reader that is not well versed in the English language. However the message that the author is trying to convey remains clear at all times.
January 4, 2020
Amazing!!! Excellently written. What a story
January 3, 2019
Read it now!!!
March 23, 2020
What a phenomenal book. A Well written & grippingly articulated story of a lost man’s search for glory.
While we face the uncertainty of COVID 19, I wonder if Alex’s search for glory would be the same had he been making the decision to join now, given the world’s outlook to survival currently.
Well worth the read, as we are all facing challenges of survival
While we face the uncertainty of COVID 19, I wonder if Alex’s search for glory would be the same had he been making the decision to join now, given the world’s outlook to survival currently.
Well worth the read, as we are all facing challenges of survival
January 17, 2020
One seems to think that it is determination that gets you through situations like Alex’s, however if there is no other choice but to continue, no other way but up, it’s not determination, it’s life.
I admire Alex, Connor and Vasile for what they endured to survive their journey and their story must be so relatable to so many finding themselves in similar optionless situations.
Anyone that is facing a challenge that seems impossible to overcome should read Escaping the Amazon.
I admire Alex, Connor and Vasile for what they endured to survive their journey and their story must be so relatable to so many finding themselves in similar optionless situations.
Anyone that is facing a challenge that seems impossible to overcome should read Escaping the Amazon.
March 1, 2020
What an epic book. Well done
December 8, 2018
Unreal... would highly recommend this book. Surprised that this book wasn’t picked up by a traditional publisher. I think they might kick themselves one day.
Props to Alex, Jaime and Keryn for putting this book out there.
Props to Alex, Jaime and Keryn for putting this book out there.
December 5, 2018
Wow.... just couldn’t put this down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews