The Making of a Legionnaire: My Life in the French Foreign Legion Parachute Regiment

An excellent story that is written quite well. Easy to understand and the author is very unpretentious in the way he relays his time in the French Foreign Legion (FFL). I've read four books on the legion and this one is pretty good. He is even-handed in his treatment of the legion's glory and foibles and that is what best conveys the author's time in the French Foreign Legion. A very good book.

I have been fascinated by the French Foreign Legion for the past year and have read several Legion memoirs and this is my favorite. The author, Bill Parris joined the FFL back in the 80's to escape the recent heartache of a troubled marriage (he doesn't explain much about this) and threw himself into becomming a proud Legionnaire. Parris writes about the difficult training and later combat with a sense of humility and humbleness that made me really like the guy and cheer for him. I like the contrast in this book compared with another great Legionnaire memoir, Tony Sloane's "The Naked Soldier". Sloane's book is more gritty and less introspective.

I enjoyed this book because the author Bill Parris served his five year tour with honor and without deserting.Unlike Christian Jennings "Mouthful of Rocks" who spent most of his time whining and bitching and who later on deserted.Or in Jaimie Salazar's "Legion of the Lost"when the author does not have the intestinal fortitude to honor his contract.Not so with Bill Parris who went into the Legion with a "can do" and never quit attitude.This attitude helped him through training at the "Farm" and later on in the 2nd REP when he became a paratrooper. Parris was brutally honest on training and his own fears especially about heights and making it through jump school.Parris recognizes his shortcomings and does an outstanding job in overcoming these obstacles. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in reading about the FFL.At the begining he alludes to a stomach illness that will eventually kill him.I wish him a long and happy life with his wife and sons.My maroon beret is off to you Mr. Parris for a good book.

Very well written book. It took me less than a week to get through it. I hope the author and ex-Legionnaire is doing well these days. I highly recommend this publication.

The Englishman Parris recounts his basic training in becoming a French Foreign Legionnaire with a "you-are-there" detail and liveliness; in places down to the cot he slept on and the food he ate, but also the weapons he learned to use and the tactical lessons he and the other recruits were taught. Like most other Legionnaires, Parris joined from a deep sense of disappointment after certain difficult experiences in his life; although he left the Legion after a few years and is now living in England married with children. The challenging training takes place in environments as varied as French Guyana, North Africa desert, and hills of Corsica, with Parris and his fellow recruits having to master different skills and succeed at different objectives in each. Parris gives an indelible inside look at the rigorous training Legionnaires undergo.