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Summary: One of the most engaging books i ever read!
Review: It penetrated the surface to take us deep into the minds, hearts and lives of men who join the legion. Hard to put down once you start and for those who are ex-military an especial treat since many of the experiences and misadventures are universal to all armed services and you feel a sense of comraderie. Mr. Murray also displays simpathy for many people he describes and talks about. If anyone knows where i can write or how to contact mr. Murray please e-mail me; i want to thank him for such a marvelous book!
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Summary: The last lines of this book will stay with me forever
Review: People who believe that the world owes them a living should be made to read this book; Simon Murray is an inspiration to all. He has shown that he has more fibre in his little toe than most people can only dream about. He is correct in saying that there is little time for young men to climb mountains these days - and although I don't 'totter on the brink', this fine book has made me reasess my working ethic, my outlook and my endurance as a person. Ultimately, the best book one could ever read.
Rating:
Summary: bewilderment
Review: Simon Murray conveys his complete mindset and bares open his soul. He doesn't hide the fact that he had a tough time and that he was afraid. Not only does this book make you want to join, but sends out a question. Are you really a man? I have done research and in November 1999, located Simon's whereabouts. He is alive and kicking in the far east. He is now the executive chairman of Deutsche Morgan Bank in Asia Pacific. This bank is one of the largest in the world.
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Summary: First-hand account of the Legions last years in Algeria.
Review: Simon Murray's autobiography of his first adult years spent in the wartorn country of Algeria in the sixties, is filled with an amazing understanding of the complexity of issues that surrounds us all in everyday life. For the ultimate book on the French Foreign Legion - which this is - it may sound borring, but believe me - its anything but. This is simply put the best book ever written on the subject of the French Foreign Legion. Starting with the end of his teens Simon Murray joins the Legion in a quest for adventure. With a canny ability to describe everyday events, ones imagination otherwise hardly can percieve, the author gives a day-by-day account of his life in the legion. From the treasured dull moments of barrack-life to the rutine patrol on the border to Marokko that suddenly turns sour. From basic training at age eigthteen to transferral for the deuxime REP where the lure of jump money means a difference to a new sergent. Its all in here and so are you. This book takes advantage of the authority and impact a diary can have, and although this is not the diary of Anne Franks - which in context may be a poor comparison - the impact of this book it just to great to be ignored. Where Anne Franks Diary sqeezes your heart and leaves you wondering what kind of human being your really are; Simon Murray hits you in the teeth and pulls the rug from under you and as the drillsergent tries to stomp your head in, you wish you had the same integrity and strength Simon Murray displayed throughout his years as a Legionaire and later at the Legions Sergent School. This review is committed from memory as I read this book 18 years ago. I then made it the cornerstone of my bookcollection on The Legion. I have never read one better. Neither will you.
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Summary: The Legion is our FatherLand
Review: The first time I read this book I had just joined the British Army. After reading it I thought I had just joined the wrong Army. The book is an evocative portrayal of the French Foreign Legion at the end of the Colonial Era for France. It Gives the Views of professional soldiers and their dismay at realpolitik. It shows you what being HARD is really all about. When I later become a Paratrooper we had a small cliche of Hawks who took this Book and the documentary he made to our hearts. I have read this book aleast four to five times and love it everytime. It's brillant. Simon Murrey is an Investment Banker now ( Not in the Cockney sense of the pharse either) Based in Hong Kong I believe. Brillant Book.
Rating:
Summary: Low key adventure
Review: This book puts "Beau Geste" to shame, becuase of his straightforward matter of fact style you do not realize what a great story it is and how remarkable Murray is until about 2/3 of the way through. Murray actually describes the beginning of the transformation of the legion from the old brutal force to the slightly less brutal modern rapid deployment force that spearheads today's French Army. His grunts view of the Algerian general's attempted coup against DeGaulle is all too brief.
I have read elsewhere that after this book came out in the early 1980's British enlistment in the Legion went way up. English Legionnaires were referred to as SMS's, Simon Murray specials. Thats the best endorsement I can think of.
Rating:
Summary: Low key adventure
Review: This book puts "Beau Geste" to shame, becuase of his straightforward matter of fact style you do not realize what a great story it is and how remarkable Murray is until about 2/3 of the way through. Murray actually describes the beginning of the transformation of the legion from the old brutal force to the slightly less brutal modern rapid deployment force that spearheads today's French Army. His grunts view of the Algerian general's attempted coup against DeGaulle is all too brief.
I have read elsewhere that after this book came out in the early 1980's British enlistment in the Legion went way up. English Legionnaires were referred to as SMS's, Simon Murray specials. Thats the best endorsement I can think of.
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Summary: DIARY OF AN INTELLIGENT MAN OF ACTION
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read on what it means to be a soldier - not someone wearing a uniform and doing a job for a paycheck but a real soldier. Being intelligent and tough are two good things and Simon Murray is both. When you read of this man's character, formed in his early twenties, you have little doubt of the leadership ability which led to business success. Simon Murray is a man of action. Very well written. Very readable. 1. It should be back in print. 2. Simon Murray should write a business book!
Rating: 
Summary: legionnaire : an inspiration to us all !
Review: This is one of the few books i have read that i could not put down for more than half an hour ! Having served in the British military for a few years in the 80's and 90's it made me realise how easy it must have been compared to the life of a legionnaire in the 1960's. This book is a must for any military reader.... enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: legionnaire : an inspiration to us all !
Review: This is one of the few books i have read that i could not put down for more than half an hour ! Having served in the British military for a few years in the 80's and 90's it made me realise how easy it must have been compared to the life of a legionnaire in the 1960's. This book is a must for any military reader.... enjoy!
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