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Thread: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

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    Member panch0's Avatar
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    Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    Just got through reading Simon Murray's Legionnaire!

    It was a pleasure and delight to read it and I only wish that it was longer so that I can continue to indulge in it!

    A few things really surprised me and amazed me. The first was that despite using a daily journal format, it was incredibly well written and full of insight. While reading it, I almost felt that I was there in the book, paying testimony to Murray's experiences!

    The second, as a FFL admirer, it drove me crazy to read the descriptions of "brutality", the "senseless" abuse of loyal and brave men by those in command, and the incidence of desertion.

    The third was that despite a rough, austere, and sacrificed lifestyle; a legionnaire could still be human and have fulfilling moments of love and friendship.

    I almost cannot conceive the book without the epilogue, as I imagine it once existed before the year 2000. I could have not sleep if I was not to find out what happened with Murray's love for Jennifer and what happened to the friendship with Soto and Vignaga and their utopic meeting at Manneken Pis. Call me a wuss if you want, but if you didn't get a lump or two reading the epilogue... there is something wrong with you!

    Simon's Murray Legionnaire will forever be one of my favorite books! It embodies the romanticisim of the Legion in the same manner that Edith Piaf, Alan Seeger, and Siegfried Sassoon do!

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    Hyper Active Member Major Forum Poster Pagoda_Warrior's Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    Quote Originally Posted by panch0 View Post
    Just got through reading Simon Murray's Legionnaire!

    It was a pleasure and delight to read it and I only wish that it was longer so that I can continue to indulge in it!

    A few things really surprised me and amazed me. The first was that despite using a daily journal format, it was incredibly well written and full of insight. While reading it, I almost felt that I was there in the book, paying testimony to Murray's experiences!

    The second, as a FFL admirer, it drove me crazy to read the descriptions of "brutality", the "senseless" abuse of loyal and brave men by those in command, and the incidence of desertion.

    The third was that despite a rough, austere, and sacrificed lifestyle; a legionnaire could still be human and have fulfilling moments of love and friendship.

    I almost cannot conceive the book without the epilogue, as I imagine it once existed before the year 2000. I could have not sleep if I was not to find out what happened with Murray's love for Jennifer and what happened to the friendship with Soto and Vignaga and their utopic meeting at Manneken Pis. Call me a wuss if you want, but if you didn't get a lump or two reading the epilogue... there is something wrong with you!

    Simon's Murray Legionnaire will forever be one of my favorite books! It embodies the romanticisim of the Legion in the same manner that Edith Piaf, Alan Seeger, and Siegfried Sassoon do!
    You should have a crack At Bleak House next..... That will give you an erection.

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    Active Member tom.'s Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    Quote Originally Posted by Pagoda_Warrior View Post
    You should have a crack At Bleak House next..... That will give you an erection.
    Hahahaha D:

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    Active Member Miette's Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    Quote Originally Posted by Pagoda_Warrior View Post
    You should have a crack At Bleak House next..... That will give you an erection.

    It is reassuring to see the thinner air has not affected your sense of humour.
    If you don't stand up for something, then you'll fall for anything.

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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    Quote Originally Posted by Pagoda_Warrior View Post
    You should have a crack At Bleak House next..... That will give you an erection.
    Im already on my way to the store to buy some latex!

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    Active Member suttongm's Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    Dickens is the kind of read you do bare back. The rain coat is not needed. Unless it is a library book and God knows where it has been.

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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    i came in my pants when i finished reading his book..
    You are my enemy. If I die, I am gonna take you with me.

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    Hyper Active Member Major Forum Poster Chas's Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    So Ruined, you creamed your jeans-'Revolting Child'
    Rendezvous a bientot avec le diable ou le bon Dieu.

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    Actual or Ex Legionnaire Major Forum Poster Martin Scott's Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    Try Oliver Twist that would be right up his alley...................
    You can take the man out of the Legion, You,ll never take the Legion out of the Man. SEPTEM JUNCTA IN UNO. LEGIO PATRIA NOSTRA

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    Hyper Active Member Major Forum Poster Pagoda_Warrior's Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin Scott View Post
    Try Oliver Twist that would be right up his alley...................
    hahaha... What you saying Martin??? You mean "Please sir..... Can I have some more???"

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    Top Member Major Forum Poster flash010's Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    The second, as a FFL admirer, it drove me crazy to read the descriptions of "brutality", the "senseless" abuse of loyal and brave men by those in command, and the incidence of desertion.

    The third was that despite a rough, austere, and sacrificed lifestyle; a legionnaire could still be human and have fulfilling moments of love and friendship.


    what a load of crap fulfilling momens of love were about 20 franks.
    and lerena did not kiss it was like shagging a frigging corps.
    and we anit human were star ship troopers
    yae though i walk in the shadow of the valley of death i will fear no evil for am the hardest bast..d in the valley

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    Actual or Ex Legionnaire Major Forum Poster repman86's Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    The bits about love and romance didnt stick in my head when i read this, just the spaniards with the 'head' soup.

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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    What do you guys mean? The guy waited 5 years to hook up with Jennifer... got married to her and has been married to her ever since! Is that not an honorable feat of love?

    I mean don't get me wrong... Pedro the Spaniard with the head soup and chewing a broken bottle is quite romantic too but heck... !!

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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    There seem to be two titles for this book: "Legionnaire, the real life story of an Englishman in the French Foreign Legion" and "Legionnaire, five years in the French Foreign Legion". I suppose they just changed the title and there's no difference between both books?

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    Actual or Ex Legionnaire jonny's Avatar
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    Re: Simon Murray's Legionnaire

    Hey,
    What's going on here? One guy says he loved the book and everybody else is taking the piss. What a bunch of jerks. I reckon anybody else who wishes to comment on the book should do so, and not rubish someone who did. Are you all out of primary school yet? Jerks.

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