Mouthful of Rocks: Modern Adventures in the French Foreign Legion

Pocket

Jennings was a 22-year-old delivery boy in London when, in 1984, he joined the legendary Legion. In an hypnotically bland narrative style, he recalls the training, the vicious routine beatings, the boozing and whoring during off-duty hours--and the scathing xenophobic views freely expressed by the various nationalities he soldiered with. Posted to the African Republic of Djibouti, Jennings was mercilessly bullied by his immediate superior, a Spanish corporal, and went over the hill. Captured by bounty hunters while wandering across the desert, he found life in jail preferable to active duty in the 2nd Parachute Regiment. Given a second chance, he accompanied the regiment to France on field maneuvers and took advantage of another opportunity to desert. Successful this time, he was subsequently arrested on forgery charges and served a nine-month sentence. There's nothing self-serving about this memoir: again and again its author casually reveals himself to have been a liar, thief and sexual vulture. The absence of value judgment in his book plus a natural writing talent render it hard to put down. Jennings now works in publishing in London.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The French Foreign Legion has always had a reputation for toughness and isolation from the ordinary world, with its promise of anonymity for volunteers and much-rumored esprit. Jennings, who joined the legion as escape from failure in the civilian world, tells us in this profane but outstandingly real description of his training and service in both Europe and North Africa. Jennings survived beatings and poor diet; in Djibouti he deserted, only to be captured by local tribesmen. On release from military prison he was rotated back to Corsica for a bizarre stint of drinking and chasing tourists that is described with as much humor as the training had horror. After more training he deserted again, this time back to his native England. A rough and tumble tale that gives serious insight into the mind of the professional soldier.
- Mel D. Lane, Sacramento, Cal.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.