The French Foreign Legion: A Complete History of the Legendary Fighting Force

“Unparalleled in the thoughtfulness and detail of its coverage.”—The Washington Post

The French Foreign Legion is a complete, captivating study of the famed fighting force, from its inception in 1831 to modern times. Historian Douglas Porch chronicles the Legion’s involvement in Spain, Mexico, Indochina, Madagascar, WWI, Vietnam, and Algiers (to name a few) and delves into the inner workings of legionnaires and their captains. Known for draconian discipline and shrouded in mystery, the secrets of the Legion are guarded by those who have gained admittance into its elite society. In this thoroughly researched and impressive account, Porch reveals the mysteries surrounding a Legion of “unparalleled exoticism, pathos, and drama.” 65 black-and-white photographs

Douglas Porch is a historian and a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He has been a professor of strategy at the Naval War College and has lectured at the U.S. Army War College and the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy. He is the author of various books on military history, including The Conquest of the Sahara and The French Foreign Legion. He lives in Pebble Beach, California.