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Legionnaire: My Five Years in the French Foreign Legion
Simon Murray was nineteen when he joined the French Foreign Legion. Inspired by the romantic myths of Beau Geste, he found himself in the ranks of one of the world's greatest - and toughest - fighting forces. He kept a unique diary of the hard living, harsh discipline, and the military tradition of 'March or Die' which he turned into this gripping book. "Simon Murray's personal account of a gently reared, well-educated British youth's coming of age in the French Foreign Legion has the drama, excitement and colour of a good guts-and-glory thriller ...Murray is a talented storyteller, and his fellow legionnaires and their disciplined and proud Corps are vividly portrayed. I was hooked from the first page." - Dr Henry Kissinger. "One of the greatest adventure stories in recent years." - Chris Patten.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
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928 people want to read
About the author
Simon Murray
30 books21 followersAdventurer and businessman Simon Murray. As a teenager, nursing a broken heart and determined to prove himself, he joined the French Foreign Legion. Fighting in the Algerian war, he risked his life many times over; combat was at close quarters and was very bloody.
Next, he set his sights on business - he ran some of the most well-known companies in South East Asia and was one of Chris Patten's key allies during the handover of Hong Kong. Then, in his 60s and looking for a new challenge, he chanced upon the idea of polar adventure, and went on to become the oldest person to walk unsupported to the South Pole. But after all this, his greatest achievement, he says, is his marriage. Perhaps it's no surprise that his wife of 43 years, Jennifer, is the first woman to have flown a helicopter solo around the world
Next, he set his sights on business - he ran some of the most well-known companies in South East Asia and was one of Chris Patten's key allies during the handover of Hong Kong. Then, in his 60s and looking for a new challenge, he chanced upon the idea of polar adventure, and went on to become the oldest person to walk unsupported to the South Pole. But after all this, his greatest achievement, he says, is his marriage. Perhaps it's no surprise that his wife of 43 years, Jennifer, is the first woman to have flown a helicopter solo around the world
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
January 14, 2018
I first became aware of Simon Murray when I watched on TV one night a special program about the French Foreign Legion in which he acted as the narrator. I was rather impressed with him, so when I came across this book (after having read the Douglas Porch history of the Legion in the early 1990s), I was eager to read it.
From the moment Murray enlists in February 1960, he is put through the rigors of training, which at times was quasi-sadistic, for the NCOs exercised considerable control over their charges (delighting in giving them grief for the slightest infractions), both in France and in Algeria. Murray saw a fair amount of combat in the Algerian War, mainly in the mountains. He writes honestly of his experiences, sparing no punches, as the following will attest:
From diary entry of 17 December 1960:
"DeGaulle has been in Algeria recently and he has been broadcasting speeches which many here regard as treasonous as he outlines his reasons why the Muslims of Algeria should be given the opportunity of deciding their own future. He is desperately seeking a solution to this war, not for the sake of peace itself but because this endless fight is draining French coffers and, unless the outflow is stemmed, France will soon become an economic wreck. In 1958 when he returned to power in France, deGaulle's words to the French colonials in Algeria were 'Je vous ai compris - Algerie francaise'. It now seems as though he is changing his tune and is looking for a different solution which will give the country independence and yet keep it tied to France.
"But the Arabs are set on total independence, and the French colons are equally determined to retain all that they have here. The colons are extremists in every sense of the word; they do not understand compromise and they will go to extremes to keep what they believe to be theirs by birthright.
"There have been riots during the last few days which have resulted in some two hundred people being killed. Because of this, we are not en alerte. At the beginning of January there is to be a referendum which will be held in France as well as Algeria. The referendum is understood to be deGaulle asking for a free hand to negotiate with the F.L.N. for the establishment of the Algeria of tomorrow, which will be the first real step to independence, but perhaps on his own terms."
Two years later, Algeria wins its independence. As part of the agreement with France, the French are allowed a limited tenure in some areas of the country (inclusive of the former naval base at Mers-el-Kebir) and oil rights in the Sahara for 5 years. The Legion has to abandon its traditional headquarters at Sidi-bel-Abbes and relocate much of its staff, equipment, and assets to the South of France. But Murray's unit and a few other units of the Legion are allowed to remain in Algeria on a temporary basis. France was then in flux, having barely survived an attempted coup d'etat. Consequently, given that the Legion no longer had any wars to fight on behalf of la patrie, there was some uncertainty as to whether it would be allowed to remain in existence. (Some Legion officers had sided with the coup leaders who came out of the French Army.) But thankfully the Legion had some farsighted officers in its ranks who helped to secure for it a new raison d'etre and favor with Paris through developing a variety of special skills and roles for itself.
Murray writes well and what struck me the most in reading this book was how a group of men from across the globe (who tended to stick together during basic training in rigid cliques defined by their respective nationalities) were able to be moulded into a cohesive whole, acquiring fluency in French and becoming wholly absorbed in the ethos and spirit of the Legion. Indeed, I would liken the French Foreign Legion of that time to the Jesuit Order as it was when Ignatius Loyola led it.
This is an incredibly intense and enthralling story that anyone with a thirst for adventure will love.
From the moment Murray enlists in February 1960, he is put through the rigors of training, which at times was quasi-sadistic, for the NCOs exercised considerable control over their charges (delighting in giving them grief for the slightest infractions), both in France and in Algeria. Murray saw a fair amount of combat in the Algerian War, mainly in the mountains. He writes honestly of his experiences, sparing no punches, as the following will attest:
From diary entry of 17 December 1960:
"DeGaulle has been in Algeria recently and he has been broadcasting speeches which many here regard as treasonous as he outlines his reasons why the Muslims of Algeria should be given the opportunity of deciding their own future. He is desperately seeking a solution to this war, not for the sake of peace itself but because this endless fight is draining French coffers and, unless the outflow is stemmed, France will soon become an economic wreck. In 1958 when he returned to power in France, deGaulle's words to the French colonials in Algeria were 'Je vous ai compris - Algerie francaise'. It now seems as though he is changing his tune and is looking for a different solution which will give the country independence and yet keep it tied to France.
"But the Arabs are set on total independence, and the French colons are equally determined to retain all that they have here. The colons are extremists in every sense of the word; they do not understand compromise and they will go to extremes to keep what they believe to be theirs by birthright.
"There have been riots during the last few days which have resulted in some two hundred people being killed. Because of this, we are not en alerte. At the beginning of January there is to be a referendum which will be held in France as well as Algeria. The referendum is understood to be deGaulle asking for a free hand to negotiate with the F.L.N. for the establishment of the Algeria of tomorrow, which will be the first real step to independence, but perhaps on his own terms."
Two years later, Algeria wins its independence. As part of the agreement with France, the French are allowed a limited tenure in some areas of the country (inclusive of the former naval base at Mers-el-Kebir) and oil rights in the Sahara for 5 years. The Legion has to abandon its traditional headquarters at Sidi-bel-Abbes and relocate much of its staff, equipment, and assets to the South of France. But Murray's unit and a few other units of the Legion are allowed to remain in Algeria on a temporary basis. France was then in flux, having barely survived an attempted coup d'etat. Consequently, given that the Legion no longer had any wars to fight on behalf of la patrie, there was some uncertainty as to whether it would be allowed to remain in existence. (Some Legion officers had sided with the coup leaders who came out of the French Army.) But thankfully the Legion had some farsighted officers in its ranks who helped to secure for it a new raison d'etre and favor with Paris through developing a variety of special skills and roles for itself.
Murray writes well and what struck me the most in reading this book was how a group of men from across the globe (who tended to stick together during basic training in rigid cliques defined by their respective nationalities) were able to be moulded into a cohesive whole, acquiring fluency in French and becoming wholly absorbed in the ethos and spirit of the Legion. Indeed, I would liken the French Foreign Legion of that time to the Jesuit Order as it was when Ignatius Loyola led it.
This is an incredibly intense and enthralling story that anyone with a thirst for adventure will love.
May 27, 2013
A good book to read when you're feeling sorry for yourself, when you're feeling that your life is just too hard. When I read about the hardships, punishment, and outright sadism Simon Murray experienced in his five years in the French Foreign Legion, my life appears to be a mere picnic by comparison!
But the experiences also seem to have resulted in a camaraderie with comrades-in-arms that lasted far beyond the five years the author signed up for. And they appeared to have well-prepared him for life as a businessman in Asia, an adventurer, and an explorer (after 5 years of hell in the Legion, everything else must seem like a piece of cake!). After working a number of years with investment houses, he several times started his own investment companies, in partnership with impressive folks like the Rothschilds and Deutsche Bank, which he then sold for enormous sums of money. He was also instrumental in helping start the British telecom Orange, something he found amusing considering that during his five years in the Legion, he never made or received a single phone call.
At 60 years of age, he completed the Marathon des Sables, a 242 km race across the Moroccan desert. At the age of 63, Murray became the oldest man to reach the South Pole unsupported. His wife, Jennifer, was the first woman to fly around the world in a helicopter.
Or maybe he was just a tough guy to start with :)
But the experiences also seem to have resulted in a camaraderie with comrades-in-arms that lasted far beyond the five years the author signed up for. And they appeared to have well-prepared him for life as a businessman in Asia, an adventurer, and an explorer (after 5 years of hell in the Legion, everything else must seem like a piece of cake!). After working a number of years with investment houses, he several times started his own investment companies, in partnership with impressive folks like the Rothschilds and Deutsche Bank, which he then sold for enormous sums of money. He was also instrumental in helping start the British telecom Orange, something he found amusing considering that during his five years in the Legion, he never made or received a single phone call.
At 60 years of age, he completed the Marathon des Sables, a 242 km race across the Moroccan desert. At the age of 63, Murray became the oldest man to reach the South Pole unsupported. His wife, Jennifer, was the first woman to fly around the world in a helicopter.
Or maybe he was just a tough guy to start with :)
October 25, 2017
Strange... it is not a great work of fiction or non-fiction, it is not particularly well-known, and yet, this is one of the few books where I can honestly say, I did not want to put down and I continued reading till well past my bedtime.
Simon Murray was a recruit and promoted to Corporal during a period of upheaval in the FFL. His motivations for wanting to be a Legionnaire are a little vague (besides a broken heart), but recognisable among all of us who have had the urge sometimes to test our limits and to leave everything behind and take off into the great unknown. The romance of the Legion is quickly debuffed through Murray's writing. His observations were, at times, hilarious and sometimes chilling, and he certainly makes it clear that the FFL is no place for weakness.
Simon Murray was a recruit and promoted to Corporal during a period of upheaval in the FFL. His motivations for wanting to be a Legionnaire are a little vague (besides a broken heart), but recognisable among all of us who have had the urge sometimes to test our limits and to leave everything behind and take off into the great unknown. The romance of the Legion is quickly debuffed through Murray's writing. His observations were, at times, hilarious and sometimes chilling, and he certainly makes it clear that the FFL is no place for weakness.
September 8, 2019
"There is nothing that strains a man more than uncertainty in front of knowledge, that something bad is coming. When the worst is known and recognized, then and only then can one begin marshalling the inner strength required to face it."
October 31, 2009
A classic military memoir. I can't help but be simultaneously struck by the youthful energy of this five-year diary and at the same time by the unusual level of insight and reflection on his own thoughts, actions, and emotions and on the events of the world around him. Mr. Murray is not only an excellent observer and storyteller, he is very tough and very talented, as shown both by his accomplishments during his five years in the Legion and by his success in the business world in the decades afterward. I would love to have the chance to sit and talk with him. There was only one element, albeit not a minor one though he treated it as such, that marred this story for me - a recounting of a nasty incident in which, upon learning that an officer in charge of his platoon had made a homosexual pass at another member of the unit, Murray flew into a rage and beat the officer up - the homophobia involved was considered a normal attitude in the 1960s, and especially in a military organization, but it is nonetheless very ugly. If I could talk with Mr. Murray now, I'd also ask him how he felt about that event after decades of reflection.
Still, overall this was a very well-written and remarkable story.
Still, overall this was a very well-written and remarkable story.
May 13, 2013
A 5 year, 4 Star diary of a young Englishman who joins the French Foreign Legion in 1960 when he is turned down by the British Army and is stuck in an iron foundry job. He spends his tour in Algeria, the first two years during the Algerian War for independence. Plenty of patrolling the desert and occasional fighting. The second part of his tour of duty is spent in an FFL moving to a peacetime role. Overall, an interesting picture of the famed fighting organization. Cruel training, lots of wild, alcohol-fueled celebrations and unique characters. Timeless picture of a foot soldier and a great peek into the FFL. Recommended.
March 23, 2010
This book is an excellent read. It is just a bunch journal entries composed into a book. The tone changes with the authors mood, and because he is a grunt in the French Foreign Legion, his moods can go from cheerful to royally pissed in a snap. He is a brit so there are some strange words tossed around. My likes about this book are pretty much every thing. My dislikes are, well, I don't have any dislikes. In my opinion, this is a great book.
January 14, 2009
Why would an Englishman join the French Forign Legion in the 1960's? After reading this book, I still don't know. It was however; an amazing adventure. He was lucky to come out alive...."that which does not kill you, will make you stronger".
January 19, 2023
Christ! What have I done lately! I challenge anybody to finish this book and not have that thought run through their mind. Simon Murray was only 19 when he packed himself off to Paris and joined the French Foreign Legion. Joining the infamous band of Serbian war criminals, Albanian arms dealers and German rapists attempting to achieve a clean slate through joining the Legion. However, at the tender and innocent age of 19 (the age which I am myself) Murray, with a childlike desire for adventure was shipped off to Algeria in 1960 as it was collapsing into sanguinary, colonial conflict.
Murray's account is a series of diary entries which keeps the narrative fast paced and engaging. The epistolary structure makes every day in Murray's life for five years seem an thrilling day marked by firefights, torture, drunken debauchery and feats of daring adventure. Of course, some days are omitted because they contained nothing of note which consequently makes the narrative a pure, distillation of excitement.
Murray's intimate and thorough account shows his fascinating character development, particularly when it comes to his skills as a writer. Beginning as a naive teenager, Murray becomes a far superior writer as the narrative goes on, as he begins to touch on themes of love, violence, imperialism, friendship and time which great clarity and maturity when as a teenager it seemed all he could write about were far-fetched tales of daring do. Murray's writing becomes more vivid, and philosophical later in the novel:"So much had happened, it feels like a thousand - and I thought that five years would fly; times does not fly - it moves like a Winter's night when you are lost on the ocean and there are no stars in the heaven." Possibly out of the sobering experience he had in Algeria for five years and the many near-death experiences he luckily escapes from.
Murray's work is also noteworthy because of its apparent lack of any kind moralising or political commentary on the Algerian war, imperialism or the nature of war in general. Murray does seem to have an if unsophisticated, then certainly an apathetic approach to these ideas. During the Algiers Putsch of 1961 in which it seemed a coup d'etat would be launched against Charles de Gaulle and the Legion would play a role in a potential civil war which would be fought on the streets of Paris. Murray's reaction to this prospective event: "...Civil War...Sounds like fun." This lack of political engagement continues through the novel, only waning on certain occasions. Murray does give an insight into the prevailing view of the anti-imperial struggle which was taking place in the 1950s and 1960s. Murray explicitly says that French and Britain will fail in their attempts to stifle the anti-imperial/independence movements. He has been thoroughly vindicated and it raises interesting questions about what Murray was fighting for and what he felt he was doing by serving the French state in Algeria. Whatever he was thinking, what is certain is that Murray was looking for adventure and my god...he got it. Murray does briefly reference the nasty and sordid aspect of the Algerian War and its reputation for murder, rape, torture and kidnapping. Murray's lone dictum referencing this is haunting: "There were no prisoners today. Geneva's hands do not soothe insults at this distance, and the feeling is mutual." Murray's implication to these elements of the war is a fascinating point and leaves the reader longing for more of his commentary and view of the conflict, however, this is sadly lacking. Of course, this can be excused considering that Murray is writing a diary for himself not a thesis on the war.
Overall, Murray's account is extraordinary. If lacking on acerbic insight and analysis of the conflict, Murray more than makes up for it with his intimate portrait of a young man in war while also offering a pulpy adventure with the similar boisterous and boyish energy which characterised boys weeklies in the 1940s. Murray's work has gone down as one of the most fascinating and exciting adventure novels of the 20th century...and deservedly so.
Murray's account is a series of diary entries which keeps the narrative fast paced and engaging. The epistolary structure makes every day in Murray's life for five years seem an thrilling day marked by firefights, torture, drunken debauchery and feats of daring adventure. Of course, some days are omitted because they contained nothing of note which consequently makes the narrative a pure, distillation of excitement.
Murray's intimate and thorough account shows his fascinating character development, particularly when it comes to his skills as a writer. Beginning as a naive teenager, Murray becomes a far superior writer as the narrative goes on, as he begins to touch on themes of love, violence, imperialism, friendship and time which great clarity and maturity when as a teenager it seemed all he could write about were far-fetched tales of daring do. Murray's writing becomes more vivid, and philosophical later in the novel:"So much had happened, it feels like a thousand - and I thought that five years would fly; times does not fly - it moves like a Winter's night when you are lost on the ocean and there are no stars in the heaven." Possibly out of the sobering experience he had in Algeria for five years and the many near-death experiences he luckily escapes from.
Murray's work is also noteworthy because of its apparent lack of any kind moralising or political commentary on the Algerian war, imperialism or the nature of war in general. Murray does seem to have an if unsophisticated, then certainly an apathetic approach to these ideas. During the Algiers Putsch of 1961 in which it seemed a coup d'etat would be launched against Charles de Gaulle and the Legion would play a role in a potential civil war which would be fought on the streets of Paris. Murray's reaction to this prospective event: "...Civil War...Sounds like fun." This lack of political engagement continues through the novel, only waning on certain occasions. Murray does give an insight into the prevailing view of the anti-imperial struggle which was taking place in the 1950s and 1960s. Murray explicitly says that French and Britain will fail in their attempts to stifle the anti-imperial/independence movements. He has been thoroughly vindicated and it raises interesting questions about what Murray was fighting for and what he felt he was doing by serving the French state in Algeria. Whatever he was thinking, what is certain is that Murray was looking for adventure and my god...he got it. Murray does briefly reference the nasty and sordid aspect of the Algerian War and its reputation for murder, rape, torture and kidnapping. Murray's lone dictum referencing this is haunting: "There were no prisoners today. Geneva's hands do not soothe insults at this distance, and the feeling is mutual." Murray's implication to these elements of the war is a fascinating point and leaves the reader longing for more of his commentary and view of the conflict, however, this is sadly lacking. Of course, this can be excused considering that Murray is writing a diary for himself not a thesis on the war.
Overall, Murray's account is extraordinary. If lacking on acerbic insight and analysis of the conflict, Murray more than makes up for it with his intimate portrait of a young man in war while also offering a pulpy adventure with the similar boisterous and boyish energy which characterised boys weeklies in the 1940s. Murray's work has gone down as one of the most fascinating and exciting adventure novels of the 20th century...and deservedly so.
July 16, 2022
What a Hero’s Journey!
It brings me both great joy and sadness that I’ve finished the book. It’s a great pastime, promise to transport your mind to some thrills and thoughts. Informative to the psychologies of soldiers, and one of the finest at that.
Great language. It tastes thick but not unreachable, like aged whiskeys.
1039hrs 14Jul
Institutions instill in their participants some kind of shortcomings: maybe some learned despair that they cannot function on their own, makes them unable to take care of themselves. That is my reasoning for why people who tries to leave it soon comes back to their old ways of life, be it prison or army, or schools.
0116hrs 15Jul on Part Nine: Interlude
A very descriptive and appropriately detailed journal of what it’s like getting into - and retiring from - army life. Judging from how the author has ended up, it’s a sign that army life can indeed do some people some good (it makes a lot of people dead, mind you). Also it’s needed to look into his background, it will reveal something about his life trajectory so that we are not too amazed by the Foreign Legion.
1543hrs 15Jul
The reading has instilled in me such a strong institutional spirit I’m seriously considering signing up for the Uni Officer Training Corp, but that’s not the moral of the book. On the contrary, for me it celebrates the people who can still maintain their course on good morals and ethics even when the herd mentality isn’t there to keep them in check.
It brings me both great joy and sadness that I’ve finished the book. It’s a great pastime, promise to transport your mind to some thrills and thoughts. Informative to the psychologies of soldiers, and one of the finest at that.
Great language. It tastes thick but not unreachable, like aged whiskeys.
1039hrs 14Jul
Institutions instill in their participants some kind of shortcomings: maybe some learned despair that they cannot function on their own, makes them unable to take care of themselves. That is my reasoning for why people who tries to leave it soon comes back to their old ways of life, be it prison or army, or schools.
0116hrs 15Jul on Part Nine: Interlude
A very descriptive and appropriately detailed journal of what it’s like getting into - and retiring from - army life. Judging from how the author has ended up, it’s a sign that army life can indeed do some people some good (it makes a lot of people dead, mind you). Also it’s needed to look into his background, it will reveal something about his life trajectory so that we are not too amazed by the Foreign Legion.
1543hrs 15Jul
The reading has instilled in me such a strong institutional spirit I’m seriously considering signing up for the Uni Officer Training Corp, but that’s not the moral of the book. On the contrary, for me it celebrates the people who can still maintain their course on good morals and ethics even when the herd mentality isn’t there to keep them in check.
December 29, 2019
Wow. Ein unglaublich spannendes Tagebuch und Zeitzeugnis. Geschichten aus einer anderen Zeit. Wahnsinn, wie viel Leid und Schmerz Menschen aushalten können.
Mit sehr viel Witz und Herz geschrieben. Eine irre Abenteuergeschichte auch wenn man sich nicht für das Militär interessiert.
Das Buch hätte definitiv ein besseres Cover und einen prominenteren Verlag verdient. Ein echter Insider-Tipp.
May 27, 2024
What an interesting story - and what a time to be in the French Foreign Legion! This book, based on Simon Murray’s diary from his five-year stint in the Legion is fascinating and, at times, totally riveting. Four stars because I felt it was missing a few key elements. He never quite explained what drove him to join the Legion or what he truly hoped to accomplish or learn about himself from the experience. In the end, he didn’t dive into how the experience may have helped him become the hugely successful person that he is., It would have been nice to better understand what it means to be a former Legionnaire as well. Finally, the harsh and often violent world Murray portrays is nearly unthinkable in today’s world. His thoughts on that and how things have changed in the Legion and in the world would have truly driven his story home. This book is solely focused on the 5 years he served, with a small epilogue. Still, a great read and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in the Legion,
May 29, 2024
Brilliant recollection of 5 years of what seems like hell but what ultimately most would be undeniably proud to have survived. I loved this book and am envious of how such a truly awful experience can shape a person’s life unlike any other.
June 19, 2025
Fascinating book. This guy's career (going from high school to FFL, in part because of anguish over a girl, excelling in the FFL, marrying the girl, founding a business [in HK, no. 2 to Li Ka Shing] and then becoming an established statesman with plenty of grandkids) is basically The Good Life. And it's all revealed in the last 10 pages after slogging through 200ish pages of somewhat repetitive description of physical toil.
The subjective feeling, and objective reality, of competence that Murray acquires from learning practical skills + his own physical limits in the FFL is, I increasingly believe, basically a prerequisite to actually being a man. I also think its something basically alien to UMC males given 1) no area in which one is forced to push oneself beyond where the mind finds further effort impossible (at least at first) 2) no need to learn fighting/shooting/diving/dealing with unfamiliar, dangerous, emotionally volatile situations etc.
In fact devoting 5 years to doing either (as mentioned by the author) probably sets one up at a disadvantage relative to more focused peers.
The subjective feeling, and objective reality, of competence that Murray acquires from learning practical skills + his own physical limits in the FFL is, I increasingly believe, basically a prerequisite to actually being a man. I also think its something basically alien to UMC males given 1) no area in which one is forced to push oneself beyond where the mind finds further effort impossible (at least at first) 2) no need to learn fighting/shooting/diving/dealing with unfamiliar, dangerous, emotionally volatile situations etc.
In fact devoting 5 years to doing either (as mentioned by the author) probably sets one up at a disadvantage relative to more focused peers.
August 12, 2021
One doesn’t have to like “military” books to be entranced by this tale. Instead, one has to have fire in one’s belly and love adventure. It’s a true-life diary, written by a young posh kid who was likely to become an officer in the British army, but instead legged it to the Legion. The book recounts his experiences - from raw recruit in the brutal Legion training camps, to becoming and serving as an elite paratrooper, to unrelenting combat in the war in Algeria. What struck me about this incredible story is how well it’s written and how very touching many of the anecdotes are. It’s a human story, about disparate people thrown together into a cauldron.
August 5, 2013
The seminal book by an Englishman who ran off to join the Legion, Murray served through a very difficult period on Legion history. De Gaulle, after having promised the pieds noir and the Legion that Algeria would always remain l'Algérie Française, reneged on his promise in 1959, and agreed to allow an Algerian referendum on freedom. Following the vote to separate from France, many pieds noir and some Legion regiments engaged in an attempted putsch, which failed. As a result of this, de Gaulle almost disestablished the Legion... but remembered how the 13e DBLE stood beside him through World War 2. Murray describes the daily life of a legionnaire in detail in a daily journal he kept. The moments of terror fighting the Fel in the Atlas Mountains, the beatings and brutality of the non-commissioned officers, the crushing boredom. Murray described it all... and made it sound like something that a young man should do.
If you only read a couple of books on the Legion, read this one, along with Douglas Porch's seminal history of the Legion.
If you only read a couple of books on the Legion, read this one, along with Douglas Porch's seminal history of the Legion.
September 22, 2013
Mr. Murray has been there and done that. And with a dose of flair rarely seen these days.
Apart from a really impressive first-hand account of a turning point in the Legion, coinciding with the very end and short afterwards of the Algerian War, it is a riveting text, an open-hearted account of a young gentleman's venture through a rough, tough environment, under a humble and positive attitude.
Even readers who are not that much into military history might find this book a refreshing narrative of a boy's journey into adult life. For literature, just as the Legion Etrangere, may have the power to bring us all together - and expertly so under the pen of Mr. Murray.
Couldn't put it down, and was completely carried away by the emotion conveyed by his lines - from laughter to the verge of tears.
Apart from a really impressive first-hand account of a turning point in the Legion, coinciding with the very end and short afterwards of the Algerian War, it is a riveting text, an open-hearted account of a young gentleman's venture through a rough, tough environment, under a humble and positive attitude.
Even readers who are not that much into military history might find this book a refreshing narrative of a boy's journey into adult life. For literature, just as the Legion Etrangere, may have the power to bring us all together - and expertly so under the pen of Mr. Murray.
Couldn't put it down, and was completely carried away by the emotion conveyed by his lines - from laughter to the verge of tears.
June 24, 2013
First read it when I was 15 and recently reread, a real life Boys Own story of a young Englishman from a privileged background who entered service with the French Foreign Legion.
Perhaps the greatest mystery is why he decided to join, which was never discussed. Set out in the style of a diary, tracing his journey from green recruit to hardened Legionnaire. Almost makes you want to sign up - almost .....
Perhaps the greatest mystery is why he decided to join, which was never discussed. Set out in the style of a diary, tracing his journey from green recruit to hardened Legionnaire. Almost makes you want to sign up - almost .....
August 19, 2018
This is one of my favourite books of all time and make a ha it of reading it every few years. I first read it as a 19 year old whilst serving with the Parachute Regiment in Kenya. It really captured my imagination. I’ve just finished reading it again aged 47 for the umpteenth time and still enjoy it as much as the first time.
August 2, 2013
Absolutely loved this book. I've always had an interest in military history and the Legion has been something of a mystery to me. This is a great insight into the history and day to day reality of life in the legion. Highly recommended.
July 14, 2015
This is actually well written, in an engaging and sympathetic voice, with a quality unexpressed by the trashy cover.
The book is probably one of the most vivid portrayals of the struggles and rewards of life in the French Foreign Legion in the early 1960s.
The book is probably one of the most vivid portrayals of the struggles and rewards of life in the French Foreign Legion in the early 1960s.
October 29, 2016
Fantastic read
Great read from start to finish
Style and format was excellent for the subject matter would definitely recommend for getting an insight into the legion
Great read from start to finish
Style and format was excellent for the subject matter would definitely recommend for getting an insight into the legion
March 26, 2020
An English man in the French Foreign Legion at the height of Algeria's war of independence.
In 1989 he brought the French Foreign Legion orchestra to play in Hong Kong.
In 1989 he brought the French Foreign Legion orchestra to play in Hong Kong.
April 21, 2022
Just finished Legionnaire by Simon Murray. This is a memoir from his five years in the French Foreign Legion. The writings are from a diary he kept during his time. I really enjoyed this.
I was surprised by how much it felt like my time in the Army. I just retired after 21 years. He joined with daydreams of adventure and exotic travel, but reality soon revealed itself. There were 19 other young men that joined with him, but when he was at the transition center ready to getting out five years later, the others were no where to be seen. He could see other people who he was in with and they would be old friends. The ending was especially meaningful. When he was getting close to the time to get out, he did not know many of the new faces. He did not feel as much comradery ship because most of the people were new and he was being replaced as soon as he was gone.
There were many stories he did as the lowest rank that sound like fun adventures. Then when he has the determination, he goes to the leadership school and earns a promotion. This is definitely a book military members of all nationalities can understand and enjoy. He was in Algeria because it was a French colony that received its independence (I am not completely clear on the history here), but the ground Soldiers were good people. The military heads deserve any criticism for this, not the Soldiers. There was also a (very) brief coup over Algeria getting its independence, but that was a failed coup.
This is definitely a great book that I am so glad I had the chance to read. I recommend it for anyone, especially those that are veterans, in the military, or considering a career in the military.
I was surprised by how much it felt like my time in the Army. I just retired after 21 years. He joined with daydreams of adventure and exotic travel, but reality soon revealed itself. There were 19 other young men that joined with him, but when he was at the transition center ready to getting out five years later, the others were no where to be seen. He could see other people who he was in with and they would be old friends. The ending was especially meaningful. When he was getting close to the time to get out, he did not know many of the new faces. He did not feel as much comradery ship because most of the people were new and he was being replaced as soon as he was gone.
There were many stories he did as the lowest rank that sound like fun adventures. Then when he has the determination, he goes to the leadership school and earns a promotion. This is definitely a book military members of all nationalities can understand and enjoy. He was in Algeria because it was a French colony that received its independence (I am not completely clear on the history here), but the ground Soldiers were good people. The military heads deserve any criticism for this, not the Soldiers. There was also a (very) brief coup over Algeria getting its independence, but that was a failed coup.
This is definitely a great book that I am so glad I had the chance to read. I recommend it for anyone, especially those that are veterans, in the military, or considering a career in the military.
February 6, 2021
IMO, the best military biography ever written and i v read a few. I read it in 2001 while i was travelling Australia (i'm a pom), it was a hardback with its original cover that i brought from a second hand book shop that smelt of coffee and fags, when i finished it like a fool i lent it to a mate whom a worked with and never saw it again, interestingly that bloke wasn't much of a reader but he kept me updated about it almost daily, he then lent it to someone else. Having just re read it its as good now as it was then. I could kick myself in the face for not reading this as a schoolboy because if i had i might have gone to France.
Anyway it is a very original book in the way its written there is no padding its also written in very innocent way that you'd not get these-days. It puts the likes of Andy McGob and Chris Ryan and all those other bullshit military SEAL Team 89 memoirs to shame. If you like history, warfare ,man country, man culture and adventure read it, just don't lend it out you won't get it back.
Anyway it is a very original book in the way its written there is no padding its also written in very innocent way that you'd not get these-days. It puts the likes of Andy McGob and Chris Ryan and all those other bullshit military SEAL Team 89 memoirs to shame. If you like history, warfare ,man country, man culture and adventure read it, just don't lend it out you won't get it back.
July 2, 2019
A youthful, romantic, impulsive gesture leads Simon Murray to run away to the French Foreign Legion and sets in motion this timeless classic story of becoming a soldier and a man. The coddled boy is thrust into the fires of adversity to be beaten by the merciless hammers of the Legion. After five years that break many of his comrades he emerges forged into a man capable of rising to any challenge in this life. Many of the characters and situations are familiar to anyone that has served but the real adventure is unique to his service in the Legion in Algeria at the end of colonial rule. Murray recounts these adventures in an intelligent and humorous manner that is reminiscent of how stories are told around the tables in any regimental mess. I have purposefully not given any details of these stories as it would be a shame to lessen the impact that it will have and if you are considering or pursuing a career in the military this is required reading.
J'ai plein les couilles.
J'ai plein les couilles.
September 17, 2017
One of the best books about the Foreing Legion out there . It explains very well the life of a Legionaire in Africa before 1964 when the Legion was stationed there . A lot of adventures within every page of the book . The life of a Legionaire from the perspective of an Englishman . I would recommand this book to anyone who is interested of finding out more about the Legion`s history and day to day life in Africa and for anyone who loves to read army stories . Do not compare it to the modern day Foreing Legion because they are very two different things . The best feeling I had while reading the book was , wanting it to shred it and after a few pages later wanting to get an extra copy , for me personaly was that good of a book . Great experience , had a blast reading it and will recommand it to anyone who enjoys army story books . 5/5
January 9, 2022
Legionnaire Simon Murray lays bare myths surrounding the French Foreign Legion and dashes, for most I suspect, notions of gallantry. According to Murray's experience, the molding of Legionnaires was built upon cruelty and deprivation. As a result, their soldiers knew how to endure...not sure they knew how to think but then that apparently wasn't the purpose of the Legion. Its' purpose was to kill those the French government wanted killed. Legionnaires were, quite simply, the mercenary arm of French foreign policy. That the author turned out to be a brilliant and successful businessman came as a bit of a surprise. Training I under went in the U.S. Army's Ranger and Airborne schools seems, by comparison, tepid. Good read.
December 25, 2018
Interesting book. I enjoyed reading it. I learned the FFL does a hell of a lot of marching, most of it seemingly pointless. My only complaint is that for a legendary military unit, the author's amount of combat seen and his combat experience is massively unimpressive. I think your average US GI in Vietnam had to endure more and worse in one week than the author did in five years with the FFL. Sort of shattered the mystique for me. But nonetheless, an interesting book. Recommended.
August 2, 2020
An easy to read book. It's based on the author's dairy from the Foreign Legion in early 60's, in Algeria. The book is focused on the stories and the experiences that happened to the author during his 5 years military contract. It's interesting to see how this tough military force prepares it's soldiers and how tough it is to resist due to morale and psychical challenges.
Overall, it's a nice book, especially for those who wanna get a feeling about the Foreign Legion.
Overall, it's a nice book, especially for those who wanna get a feeling about the Foreign Legion.
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