The French Foreign Legion:
The Inside Story of the
World-Famous Fighting Force

Research Shelf: Book Reviews

by David Parham and T R Schweider


Written by John Robert Young
Thames and Hudson, Inc., 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10 110
Hardcover, 212 pp., 189 photos, 40 illus. Appendices, chart, bibliography
Price: $24.95
ISBN 0-500-01342-X
Audiences: historians, researchers, collectors, modelers

Certainly one of the world's most exotic fighting formations has to be the French Foreign Legion. Its rich traditions, elite combat role, and diverse composition have intrigued both civilians and other soldiers for many generations. This unique appeal is captured by Mr. Young in his photo study of "la Legion Etrangere."

The formal military history of the Legion and its regiments is examined with battle accounts, lineages of sub-units, and illustrations of relics and insignia. First sent to conquer Algeria in 1831, the Legion went on to fight both conventional and guerrilla wars from Mexico to Indochina. Notable commanders and legionnaires of all nationalities are also identified, along with descriptions of posts and the worldwide areas of operation of the Legion.

However, the special value of this book has to be the scrutiny of today's Foreign Legion. Recruitment, training, and current assignments are explained with superb color photographs and readable text. From rocky mountains to jungle swamps, legionnaires master weapons as varied as anti-tank missiles and crossbows.

Professional duties are contrasted with "after hours" activities enjoyed by those who wear the kepi blanc. By their shared proud heritage, officers and legionnaires observe a bond which is rare in most armies. That Mr. Young was granted a privileged view of this superb military organization is obvious. His work will help explain why many men have found a home and a family in the French Foreign Legion.

More Book Reviews

Back to Table of Contents -- Game News #8
To Game News List of Issues
To MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1985 by Dana Lombardy.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com