For more than 170 years jobless, homeless and loveless men have found in the French Foreign Legion a sense of purpose worth all the rigours and risks of serving in the world's longest-standing mercenary army. One of the rewards for which men sign on with the Legion is French citizenship, and every legionnaire may claim it after serving three years with good conduct.

The legion has never had any problem attracting recruits: five out of six applicants are still rejected. But what is it that attracts men from so many countries and social backgrounds to accept the harsh discipline of this legendary force with a rigid code of honour straight out of the nineteenth century?

And why is there such a love/hate relationship between France and the foreigners she pays to spill their blood for her? Douglas Boyd explains the enigma, tracing a vivid history of the Legion from its inception in 1831 to fight French colonial wars, through two world wars, Vietnam and Algeria to the modern elite force involved in rescue operations, peace-keeping and humanitarian duties worldwide.

'The Legion is still renowned as a fighting force (where) men seek the limits of their endurance. Boyd's magnificent survey embraces all the adventurers who agreed to 'march or die' for France.' Oxford Times

'A tight and fascinating history of nearly two centuries of the Legion's activities.' Brigadier Anthony Hunter-Choat, Britain's senior ex-legionnaire

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