Heroic figures galloping across the loose sands of the Sahara, their flowing white kepis a symbol of the highest romance and adventure...or murderers and human derelicts, rejected by society and hunted by the police, seeking escape from prison in the ranks of the Légion Étrangère? Neither picture—so commonly held by the general public—is even partially accurate, writes Walter Kanitz. During World War II, Walter Kanitz fought with the Foreign Legion in Africa. He has done a vast amount of research and reading about the Legion, and has made every possible effort to check his facts. His book represents the first comprehensive and objective history of the French Foreign Legion since its inception in 1831 by the royal decree of Louis Philippe. For the better part of its history, the Foreign Legion, remote, fascinating, somewhat sinister, has been shrouded in mystery. It has been called everything from “Desert Carrion” to the “Legion of Beggars.” It was often said that “dogs bark when the Legion passes.” Yet, in battle, the Légionnaires are famed for a courage and heroism that knows no fear of death. They are considered by most professional soldiers to be, as a unit, the best fighting force in the world. When a new recruit applies for enlistment, he is made to wait 24 hours to reconsider his decision. The ranks are made up of men of all nationalities—Germans, Poles, Czechs, Slavs, Spaniards, Americans. It is the only army in existence today made up of mercenaries who have voluntarily signed to serve five years for the government of France. The discipline is harsh and the pay meager. The call to battle has taken Legion units from Mexico to Norway, from China to Morocco. Outside of battle, life consists of infinite boredom broken only by alcohol and an occasional woman. And yet, says ex-Legionnaire Kanitz, “Qu’importe, quand la Légion passe, que les chiens viennent aboyer après d’elle! Vive la Légion!”

UNDER THE WHITE KEPI tells the story of an Army deserter who by chance is rescued by, and joins the French Foreign Legion. It follows his adventures in the South Pacific area and later in French Guiana. Mr. Brumbelow was born in Texas, and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. He served in the U. S. Army for six years, in a Military Intelligence Battalion of the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He has spent time in Japan, Philippine Islands and Taiwan, and was a member of two Free Fall Parachute clubs. He worked as a civilian advisor to the Army in Korea. He is a member of the American Legion, Post 7, Annapolis, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland. While attached to the U. S. Department of State, he worked in Honduras, Germany, and China. He also worked for the National Security Agency.

See it's a chance to get a European passport. See Can we look out for anybody that might be lying about their medical records you see the gusset is antecedent medical the group passed the first three tests and has one a session of the hairdresser their hair is cut the Legion way it's another step on the path to the coveted white heavy the regulation two millimeters that makes everybody looks the same Google started doing your division and you feel like you're Legionnaires were held nearly nevertheless there's a feeling of unity since now we're all in the same boat. We're starting to bond as a unit there are those who cleared the first hurdle and those who didn't because they failed one of the first three tests the Legion calls them the repressed for a lot of these men it's back to square one simple train ticket in their pockets and ahead of them and uncertain future the group that stays on there's no question of claiming victory more tests await them stand to attention in two ranks line up come on come on lineup for the holidays are finished. You wanted it now you're all right in it. Sam he'll be here to serve Foreign Legion for the next five years. But not exactly more. I want you all to think Well, I mean, you've got three minutes it's your last chance to change your mind what we're most you if you don't want to go back to being a civilian you stay

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." Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

This book gives the reader a straightforward and continuous survey of the history of the French Foreign Legion. By outlining the Legion's vicissitudes, victorious campaigns, epic marches, heroic and sometimes hopeless stands, dirtiest combats and dramatic defeats, but also by briefly placing the Legion back in the historical background of France, and by describing its development, organization, uniforms, equipments and weapons, the author hopes to dispel myths, and try to give a true and accurate picture of what the French Foreign Legion has been from 1831 until today. There are well-researched, detailed line drawings throughout.

An adventure tale with murder, intrigue, treasure and romance—amid intimations of a past where Phoenician triremes sailed the Mediterranean Sea—set in 1957 strife-ridden Lebanon. It follows freelance journalist Matthew Thorne from Montreal, Paris, and Beirut to Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, in pursuit of the murder of an old, mercurial college friend.