Legion of the Lost
The True Experience of an American in the French Foreign Legion
by Jaime Salazar
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Pub Date Aug 10 2017 | Archive Date Aug 22 2017
Description
Revised edition, with a new foreword and afterword from the author.
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 Legion: 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.
Advance Praise
‘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
‘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
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781910670798 |
| PRICE | $14.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Joseph S, Reviewer
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.
Gillian A, Librarian
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.
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