As a Canadian teenager, McGorman became entranced with the legendary image of the Legion. After serving 4 years in an artillery unit of the Royal Canadian Army, Evan enlisted in the Legion Etrangere in 1989 on a 5-year contract. Based on his experiences, this book is his good-faith attempt to strip away the romance surrounding the contemporary Legion and give a true picture of service within its ranks to anybody contemplating joining.

McGorman begins his narrative where it logically should, i.e. with the addresses of the Legion's recruiting centers in France; he himself joined in Paris. He covers just about everything you need to know: enlistment requirements, what to bring - French/English dictionary, shaving gear, toiletries, towel, cigarettes, watch, wallet, personal address book (all of which might fit in that sack at the end of the stick) - the enlistment contract, changing your name, aptitude tests, orientation, basic training, learning French (rapidly), singing and marching, the legion's Code of Honor, the signature Kepi Blanc cap, ranks, saluting, addressing superiors, the annoying corvee (menial chores), guard service, corporal punishment, phoning and writing home, doing laundry, weapons, physical training, meals, and regimental structure. Once graduated from basic training, Evan is assigned to the Legion's single parachute regiment. Subsequently, his narrative includes everything you'd need to know about regimental life: parachute training, company structure, commando training, daily schedule, vacation leave, pay, theft, desertion, tips on deserting, the practical benefits of being a Legionnaire (e.g. being a Babe Magnet), specialist training, holidays, and the perception of the Legion as a band of hardbitten, unsavory mercenaries.

During his stint, McGorman did tours of duty in Africa - Chad and Djibouti - as well as one with the UN peacekeeping force in Sarajevo. Much of the book is dedicated to his experiences in those places.

Finally, Evan ends his narrative where it logically should, i.e. with the mustering out experience: an unexpected tax bill from the French government, inducements to re-enlist, tidying up administrative details, the final paycheck, corvee to the very end, the Certificate of Military Service, and the good-bye address from the Commandant of the Legion.

The subtitle of LIFE IN THE FRECH FOREIGN LEGION is HOW TO JOIN AND WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GET THERE. What McGorman provides is exactly that, a comprehensive overview done in an informal, lucid, and informative style much like you'd get in a conversation over several beers. While the author lays claim to no regrets about his years with the Legion, he's soberingly honest about why he wouldn't necessarily recommend it: the incessant corvee, the boredom, the constant hold the organization has on your time - the same complaints any soldier or sailor will have about any military outfit anywhere. But, he also says it was the experience of a lifetime.

If you've never been fascinated by the concept, mystery, and history of the French Foreign Legion and are content with the daily grind of the same old rut, then this book is not for you - 0 stars. But, if Beau Geste beckons from the other side of the citadel wall, then it's worth every one of five stars simply as a primer for the experience. Personally, I guess I'll just put the sack and stick back in the closet and take out the trash (corvee) like my wife wants.


A Much Needed Chronology, In Detail   August 10, 2005
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

I didn't at all expect a How-To manual when I bought this book -I thought it would be another set of autobiographical anecdotes about someone's time in the Legion. And that would have been fine. But a How-To is exactly what Evan McGorman produced. For that reason alone, it's really worth every cent I paid for it. He does try to dissuade people from following his footsteps and joining the Legion but for those determined to go on anyway - or like me, are just plain curious about the unit - his detail about life in the Legion is invaluable. It's actually a better book than Tony Sloane's "Naked Soldier" which I suspect, could have been more interesting had he done a comparison of his life in the British forces with life in the Legion. McGorman provides fine - not excruciating - detail about what it's like in the Legion, and provides a mountain of hints, suggestions and advice about how to survive one's 5 year contract with it. He even has a section suggesting how best to desert (times of day to do it, routes best taken etc) if that's what it's all boiled down to once you're in. It's an extremely refreshing autobiographical account by someone who clearly has a brain (and something of a conscience) - I would strongly recommend it.


It's just like being there   March 13, 2004
 2 out of 4 found this review helpful

This book is the most compelling non fiction read I have ever encountered. Ewan writes the book in such a descriptive way that you can imagine the african terrain in Chad or the fear of fellow Legionaires in Sarajevo. This is an honest no holes barred account of the REAL French Foreign Legion and he makes any potential recruit ask some very tough physical and moral questions. WELL DONE ON A FANTASTIC BOOK EWAN!!!


Dont sign up till you read this book!!   December 13, 2002
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Reading this book is in no way a "corvee"!! Trying to find sound information on the French Foreign Legion is tough!! This book explains life from arriving at the recruitment center right through to when your contract has ended. Written as if being told by a best mate or uncle this book answers all questions and the author really goes out of his way to even include all of the songs of the Legion and also a mini french-English translation of words and phrases associated with being a Legionnaire and a soldier. The Author also includes heart felt advice on signing up and also his fondest memories of his service.
Coupled with a vast collection of photographs, this book is an excellent read!!