“… an interesting look at how a few adventurous Americans influenced Franco¬American relations through two world wars and beyond.”

Military Heritage Magazine

“A seminal study and an absorbing read from start to finish…”

Read the full review here.

Midwest Book Review

A thoughtful book, and should be a good addition to anyones Legion library.

Clash of Steel

The attractive cover gives you a fair impression of what you can expect of the book. It is a good length and set at an equally good pace, while its format is handy and light enough to be read in a comfortable armchair or out and about. The interesting image section serves also to reinforce the mental picture that Lochrie easily builds in your mind, comprising of photographs and beautiful illustrations, created by the author himself.

OCAD Militaria Collectors Resources

An excellent read and something of a page turner. If the Legion is your thing, or you are interested in modern day soldiering then you will love this book.

wargamer.com

Lochrie has led a fascinating and fast paced life. After a stint in advertising, he joined the Glasgow police force, learnt to fly, attempted suicide and then spontaneously moved to Paris to join the French Foreign Legion, which took him all over the world. Lochrie's engaging and honest style tells a gripping and insightful story.

Scottish Field

This intriguing and revealing real life story, follows the journey of a thirty eight year old Scottish man who could not speak a word of French as he tries and successfully joins the French Legion, telling a few "white lies" along the way! However, against the odds he becomes an established member of the legion, fighting in various war zones and eventually earning the French Military Cross. Alex Lochries autobiography is an interesting, eye-opening account of bravery, determination and willingness to fight which makes this a unique edition to your collection and also one of only a few books written about the French Legion.

Kate (Customer Review)

The air of mystique and fascination surrounding the activities of the French Foreign Legion has fascinated military historians throughout its long history as a branch of the French Army, and so Alex Lochrie's first-hand account of his life in the force in the 1980s is refreshing. His personal story is moving and atypical, and in light of this his eventual success becomes even more impressive and affective. The detail given in his accounts of selection processes and mission procedures is truly enlightening, but this is far from a simple non-fiction account of the history of the Legionnaires. Lochrie's style is truly individual, and there are few historical narratives in which you feel such a strong sense of the person behind the tale. He is outspokenly opinionated, and comments on all aspects of the war, from its participants, to the innocent civilians, to scathing criticisms of the distortion that politicians and journalists can encourage. Whether we agree with Lochrie or not, he is a persuasive character and, complete with a selection of photographs and his own pen-and-ink drawings, this is perhaps the most richly textured account of life as a Legionnaire that any enthusiast could hope for.

Jayne (customer review)

Since 1831 the French Foreign Legion has been among the most famous military units on earth. The author takes us through training with him and on to operations in Africa, Iraq and The Balkans with graphic descriptions of all those conflicts. The book provides a gripping insight to one of the elite units of the French Army.

The Regimental Journal

Excellently told story on the professional life of a soldier, the special comraderie amongst legionnaires and the revealing facts on the mission to Sarajevo. I was spell-bound from start to finish!
Henrik Mjoman, Lt (jg) Royal Swedish Navy ret, Riga, Latvia

Henrik Mjoman