N. J. Valldejuli was born in England and raised in New York state. Inspired by stories of the unit’s exploits, he joined the French Foreign Legion in 1986, serving until his honorable medical discharge in 1988. A graduate of Kenyon College (Ohio) and Lund University (Sweden), Valldejuli has taught English and history around the world. He lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the mystique behind this famous band of warriors. -- Simon Murray, CBE and Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur, author of Legionnaire In this riveting account of his time in the French Foreign Legion, Nicholas Valldejuli introduces us to the men who make up the world's most famous fighting force. -- Douglas Porch, professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and author of The French Foreign Legion More than any other book on the Legion, this fascinating and engaging book will take the reader to the places and introduce the men who make the Legion an army unlike any in the world. -- Thomas R. Cannon, U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret.) For anyone (and, in particular, any American) who has ever wondered or fantasized about what it would be like to join the famed French Foreign Legion this is the book to read...Valldejuli knows of what he speaks. His book illuminates some of the dark mystique that surrounds the Legion...Rich in anecdote and respect for the Legion's traditions. -- David Hanna, author of Rendezvous with Death: The Americans Who Joined the Foreign Legion in 1914 to Fight for France and for Civilization