The colons are extremists in every sense of the word; they do not understand compromise and they will go to extremes to keep what they believe to be theirs by birthright. Simon Murray began his working life at eighteen in the British Merchant Navy when he signed on a tramp steamer bound for South America in 1958. Judging from how the author has ended up, it’s a sign that army life can indeed do some people some good (it makes a lot of people dead, mind you). If you only read a couple of books on the Legion, read this one, along with Douglas Porch's seminal history of the Legion. A youthful, romantic, impulsive gesture leads Simon Murray to run away to the French Foreign Legion and sets in motion this timeless classic story of becoming a soldier and a man.

Legionnaire [electronic resource] : five years in the French Foreign Legionnaire [electronic resource] : five years in the French

He stayed for ten years, initiating Hutchison's acquisition of Hong Kong Electric, and negotiating their entry into the oil business through their acquisition of Husky Oil. I’ve just finished reading it again aged 47 for the umpteenth time and still enjoy it as much as the first time. He has been thoroughly vindicated and it raises interesting questions about what Murray was fighting for and what he felt he was doing by serving the French state in Algeria. Murray's grandfather on his father's side retained a permanent suite at the Connaught Hotel, while his grandmother retained a similar suite at Claridges Hotel. The seminal book by an Englishman who ran off to join the Legion, Murray served through a very difficult period on Legion history.The Legion has to abandon its traditional headquarters at Sidi-bel-Abbes and relocate much of its staff, equipment, and assets to the South of France. A very descriptive and appropriately detailed journal of what it’s like getting into - and retiring from - army life. For literature, just as the Legion Etrangere, may have the power to bring us all together - and expertly so under the pen of Mr. Murray is not only an excellent observer and storyteller, he is very tough and very talented, as shown both by his accomplishments during his five years in the Legion and by his success in the business world in the decades afterward. From the moment Murray enlists in February 1960, he is put through the rigors of training, which at times was quasi-sadistic, for the NCOs exercised considerable control over their charges (delighting in giving them grief for the slightest infractions), both in France and in Algeria.

Legionnaire by Simon Murray: 9780891418870 - Penguin Random House Legionnaire by Simon Murray: 9780891418870 - Penguin Random House

In addition to this Simon was a founder of Distacom which made a number of mobile telecoms investments including Madacom in Madagascar, Spice Telecom in India and Sunday Communications in Hong Kong. He was in Algeria because it was a French colony that received its independence (I am not completely clear on the history here), but the ground Soldiers were good people. His observations were, at times, hilarious and sometimes chilling, and he certainly makes it clear that the FFL is no place for weakness. In the fierce, sun-baked North African desert, strong men cracked under brutal officers, merciless training methods, and barbarous punishments.The French Foreign Legion – mysterious, romantic, deadly – is filled with men of dubious character, and hardly the place for a proper Englishman just nineteen years of age. First read it when I was 15 and recently reread, a real life Boys Own story of a young Englishman from a privileged background who entered service with the French Foreign Legion. He has also invested in other mobile operations in New Zealand, San Marino, Papua New Guinea and elsewhere. For he shared one trait with these hard men from all nations and backgrounds: a determination never to surrender.

Simon Murray (Author of Legionnaire) - Goodreads Simon Murray (Author of Legionnaire) - Goodreads

On leaving the Foreign Legion in 1965, he got married and moved to Hong Kong where he worked for Jardine Matheson for fourteen years. This gripping journal offers stark evidence that the Legion’s reputation for pushing men to their breaking points and beyond is well deserved. I expected this to be more akin to a documentary, however it was much better: a mostly unfiltered journal, many times daily (especially at the beginning). I think your average US GI in Vietnam had to endure more and worse in one week than the author did in five years with the FFL.As a teenager, nursing a broken heart and determined to prove himself, he joined the French Foreign Legion. It now seems as though he is changing his tune and is looking for a different solution which will give the country independence and yet keep it tied to France. Murray's implication to these elements of the war is a fascinating point and leaves the reader longing for more of his commentary and view of the conflict, however, this is sadly lacking. Murray does seem to have an if unsophisticated, then certainly an apathetic approach to these ideas.

Legionnaire: An Englishman in the French Foreign Legion Legionnaire: An Englishman in the French Foreign Legion

it is not a great work of fiction or non-fiction, it is not particularly well-known, and yet, this is one of the few books where I can honestly say, I did not want to put down and I continued reading till well past my bedtime. Murray's work has gone down as one of the most fascinating and exciting adventure novels of the 20th century. This is actually well written, in an engaging and sympathetic voice, with a quality unexpressed by the trashy cover. Murray does briefly reference the nasty and sordid aspect of the Algerian War and its reputation for murder, rape, torture and kidnapping.He has served on boards and held advisory positions with a number of other large companies, including Vodafone, Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, Vivendi Universal, Usinor SA, Hermes, General Electric (USA), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Macquarie Bank, N. Legionnaire is a compelling, firsthand account of Murray’s experience with this legendary band of soldiers. Sixty years on, it remains a remarkable account of one of the most notorious military groups, a tale of true adventure and one man's determination never to surrender.