From its founding in 1831 to the present day, the French Foreign Legion has been surrounded by an aura of mystery & romantic adventure. Drawing on recently released material & 1sthand research, renowned military historian John Laffin sorts myth from reality to reveal the Legion in its true colors. Here's the real story of this remarkable fighting force: its exceptional officers, its rank & file (which at one time comprised as many as 45 nationalities), its campaigns & battles (in Mexico, Syria, the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains & during the two world wars) & much more. With special chapters covering the Legion's philosophy, structure, discipline, off-duty exploits & lore, this intensely readable history is bound to have a wide appeal apart from its value to the student of military history. As Laffin himself so aptly puts it: "If ever there was romance in war, then the Foreign Legion has epitomized it."
