Legion of the Lost
| Author | Jaime Salazar |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | autobiographical novel |
| Publisher | Berkley Books |
Publication date | August 2, 2005 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 0425210154 |
Legion of the Lost is a autobiographical novel by American writer Jaime Salazar. It was published in the United States by Berkley Books, an imprint of Penguin Group, on August 2, 2005. The novel is based on Salazar's own experiences as an American in the French Foreign Legion.[1] In 2016, Salazar released the revised and expanded edition of the book through Thistle Publishing UK.
Plot
It tells the story of Jaime, a bored and self-described corporate cog. In a quest to seek solace from his corporate existence, he joined the French Foreign Legion, reputed to be the world’s toughest army. He experiences brutality, adventure, and an uncompromising camaraderie. This is the story of his life in the "Army of Strangers". In a 2008 Note addition on the book’s website, Salazar puts into perspective his reckless weekend behavior, notably that with women, into the context of a typical young man’s military life. He claims not to condone such libertine, amorous behavior then or now. He also claims that some of the characters mentioned were morphed from multiple people. Salazar admits to describing a few incidents that were actually second hand accounts. He claims artistic license was taken for purposes of clarity and succinctness. In 2016, Salazar released the revised second edition of the book. It was scrubbed for errors and clarity. Additional details as well as a more spiritual air were included. A new black-and-white book cover was also created.
Reception
New York Times reviewer William Grimes described the novel as an "improbable, very funny tale." "Salazar," Grimes wrote, "has a sly, sardonic sense of humor and a gift for understatement."
References
- ↑ Grimes, William (2 September 2005). "Legion of the Lost: The True Experience of an American in the French Foreign Legion". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
External links
- Official website
- Article from The Houston Chronicle