Customer Reviews

Mouthful of Rocks (Jennings)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have not served in the French Foreign Legion and I cannot say whether the details of his life there were true or not, but after reading it all I can say is that I enjoyed it. I had previously read three books about English-speaking legionnaires: Henry Ainley who joined in 1950, Simon Murray, who joined in 1960 and Evan McGormand in 1989. All of them finished their initial time there (Henry Ainley couldn't because of disease but never tried to desert) and all of them had a hard time and regretted having joined shortly after starting their basic training. What I am trying to say is that even Simon Murray, who is praised in one of the reviews by someone who gives a bad account of Chris Jennings's book, had a rough time there and saw the light at the end of the tunnel when the five year ended. Unfortunately for Chris Jennings, his mind cracked up very soon, most probably (as he himself puts it) because his own mind was not very stable by the time he joined and the comfortable background where he came from.
Another of the reviewers states he was there at that time and was even mentioned in Jennings's book, and calls Jennings a liar. That is probably also true, because Jennings himself owns up to lying to people very often, but anyway I found the book amusing and well enough written. All of us usually have read books from people from every walk of life, different personalities and sensibilities. Chris Jennings perhaps wanted to be a soldier in a crack unit in order to prove something to himself, but he was not made for that kind of life. Here is the account of the wrong person in the wrong job. He probably represents a big percentage of the people who get to the Foreign Legion recruiting office.
If you want to read a gung-ho book, of course this is not the right book.

I served in the Legion at the same time as the author...in fact we went to the induction center at exactly the same time and I get a mention in his book.
Unfortunately, while the book is well written, the content is a collection of gross exagerations and outright lies.
The author didn't like the Legion which is why he attempted to desert so many times (most people pull it off on the first attempt) so don't read the book if you want an accurate recording of what goes on and realize if you do read it, that the author is writing a very jaded account.

I found this biograpy of Christian Jennings, a former member of the 2eme Regiment Etranger De Parachutistes (3rd Company), at the city library. I am glad that I had run across this book before I had found the book by Howard R. Simpson, "The Paratroopers of the French Foreign Legion", because Jennings reminded me of things (the constant bull**** during basic training and the drinking and screwing off by other shipmates at my command) that I wished I had known to take place before I had joined the U.S. NAVY... if I had known these things I may have not wanted to join.
However, Jennings's book does detail his time spent in the French Forgein Legion which took place about twenty years ago, it is a little hard to read at times since he forshadows events in his life. Though this book is still worth reading, if you are into history or just a good story, since I found it hard to put down, because of my interest in what basic training was like.
Though I am now thinking twice about joining because of what I have seen in news specials and have read in this book. The French Foreign Legion's training is not soft or cuddly like the the U.S. Service's basic training, where they are not allowed to hit you! Just to quote Jennings, "I am not sure I want to loose some more teeth", when speaking with a NCO about some problems I am having.

Some poor English guy is down on his luck and decides to join the French Foreign Legion. This is his tale of woe as he quickly discovers that it is not all that he thought it was. He goes on to describe a life of sex, strange rules, violence, barracks humor, sex, North African life, sex, violence...you get the idea.

At times the author is unintentionally funny but most of the events seem, shall we say, a little off the wall. What the author attempts to do (and fails) is draw the distinction between the reality of the Legion and its outside perception. The reason I say "fails" is because, despite the many and sundry descriptions of wild, cruel or inhumane behavior, the author seems to have joined in and liked it. There is an air of admiration about some of the sickest/worse scenes presented.

I met Chris Jennings in Rwanda in 1995. He matches his description in this book, something of a self-proclaimed screw up but one self-effacingly honest about his own faults. I have no doubt he would drive a Legionnaire sergeant to distraction and enjoy it while he did so (at least before the beatings). I recommend the book as a counterweight to those who get too enthralled by the Legion's mystique.

Thomas Odom Author
Journey into Darkness: Genocide in Rwanda TAMU Press 2005
The Dragon Operations:Hostage Rescues in the Congo 1964-1965, CGSC 1988
Shaba II: the French and Belgian Military Interventions in Zaire in 1978, CGSC 1993

filled with funny war stories, probably full of exaggerations and embellishments like most military memoirs written by disillusioned ex-service members, regardless of what you think of the author, its a pretty solidly written book

You people are all missing the point: Jennings is writing about HIS OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE - none of you were there next to him, therefore, he knows better, doesn't he?
From my days in the army I can quote the saying that the soldier without a daily work is a criminal. Training and maddening menial tasks are required so that the individual gets screwed up mentally beyond the point of no return so that he is almost looking forward to be unleashed and go to war. Additionally, I know that ANYTHING can happen in the army, and the author is just telling what happened to him. Although a failure, he admits it, but hey, it's always easy to blame others and yak about loyalty to the core or your unit, camaraderie and stuff from your armchair - go do it yourself, tough guy, see how you like it! Few words about desertion: a lot of you admit that you've got to be a little crazy to join, so what's wrong with being a little sane and withdraw? Since this is your life it should be only your decision: if it's clear that the army life is not for you - why suffer 5 full years? Do you people stay loyal to your boss at a job you hate? He was not a solder's material to begin with, he was not aware what he had signed up himself for initially, so, instead of getting 5 full years of drinking, beating and degradation he deserted - who are you to judge him? - get over this.
There's a line between staying loyal to your unit, friends and commitment, if it's just a tough going that makes you a better individual and a tougher soldier, but there is a huge difference when you're not getting anywhere and just wasting your life.

And just to reply to some posts I've seen here, like, why not write about the Cameron Battle and glorify it, or, why the ffl does not educate the recruits? Please, people, get real - he did not fight the Cameron battle, why would he want to write about it??? He hasn't seen any glory to begin with! You want glory? - get yourself a copy of Top Gun.
Also if one takes a look at the success rate of the French army it's easy to understand why FFL does not need well-mannered and well educated intellectuals. Although I do believe there are some in FFL - I also believe they have chosen to blend with the system.

I enjoyed the book. I have read some of the other books mentioned in reviews including the history of the Legion by Douglas Porch. I gave this book to a friend who gave it back to me without finishing it because he thought Jennings was a "punk". I understand my friend's point but I enjoyed Jennings' experiences nevertheless. I have always been interested in the Legion and I sometimes wished I could join for a week or two every year to toughen up a bit. But I do not think I would want to be a part of it for an extended length of time. I am now 68 years old and I was in the US Army for six years but the treatment there was nowhere near the grueling life experienced by the Legion, at least not where I was. But I really enjoyed Christian Jennings' cautionary tale about his life in the Legion. Jennings is no hero, to be sure, but his account is interesting and entertaining but not for the gung-ho veteran.

Wow, I read the history of the legion which is a history of how most Colonial Powers et al used non native fighting forces (English used German's in 1770's). But it's fascinating that the only one still around is the FFL and after reading Chris's book it's obvious why no one else is using foreigners to fight, I mean these guys were creating Frag Lists for their commanders when they were going into (Chad?) and after loss of Algeria in the 60s (just like the American Public has turned on Bush for Iraq) they were going to assasinate De Gaul for giving back Algeria - the french public could care less about this north African Desert, totally stabbing the Legion in the back after they had totally destroyed the Islamic Terrorists (I guess to the Moslems they were freedom fighters?).

Chris's book is great, I mean if you want a force who will readily take someone's life, I guess you beat the crap out of them and then unleash them on the enemy. I'm amazed at how Chris talks about himself, it's so rare to find that level of honesty, but then I'm reading one of his comrades in arms comments on here and he's saying he was there and that's all a bunch of crap - bummer! I just don't think after Chris admits to constantly getting caught in lies (Swedish Girl says "I think you tell some exaggerations...") that he'd do it in his book.

Anyway I guess I'm gullible because it was an incredibly engaging book from beginning to end, I think Chris undersells himself, I mean the guy smoked like crazy and drank and drank and still graduated in top 5. I think he's a great writer and can't wait to read all his other books. I wonder if he ever got his teeth fixed, he deserted right after they cut a chunk of his gums out.

A lot quality training coupled with a lot of menial tasks. Boredom, cigarettes, liquor and brothels. Not my kind of life, thank you! Why don't they devise some ways to keep the troops busy in an intelligent, constructive fashion? Why not offer courses on different subjects; promote sport events,language and work skills? Why not teach them manners and how to behave like gentlemen and scholars? Why not offer a variety of recreational activities as an alternative to brothel hopping and heavy drinking/smoking? Why not foster the men's spirituality through chaplains of various denominations? Why cannot one be a spiritual person and a warrior at the same time? Why not offer meditation classes, martial arts, Zen sessions? I enjoyed the book; it read well and it was comical at times, but it surely did not make me want to join the Legion.