Appel
A Canadian in the French Foreign Legion
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Appel
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Narrated by:
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Paul Boucher
About this listen
Appel: A Canadian in the French Foreign Legion is the first-hand account of the author’s six years as a professional soldier during the 1990s, and his experience in the Legion's elite Groupe des Commandos Parachutistes (GCP). Joel Struthers recounts the dangers and demands of military life, from the rigours of recruitment and operational training in the rugged mountains of France, to face-to-face combat in the grasslands of some of Africa’s most troubled nations.
Told through the eyes of a soldier, and interspersed with humorous anecdotes, Appel is a fascinating story that debunks myths about the French Foreign Legion and shows it more accurately as a professional arm of the French military. Struthers provides insight into the rigorous discipline that the Legion instills in its young recruits - who trade their identities as individuals for a life of adventure and a role in a unified fighting force whose motto is “Honour and Loyalty”.
Foreword by Col. Benoit Desmeulles, former commanding officer of the Legions 2e Régiment Étranger Parachutistes.
From the Foreword: "Travelling through these pages, you will discover how a restless young Canadian turned himself into a professional soldier, and then a pathfinder immersed in a system that, even if could always be improved, remains a reference in terms of soldiering. You will appreciate the quasi-monastic life - made of satisfaction, celebration, hard training, operational commitments, but also of routine and service - of these soldiers who decided to leave everything they had to come and serve in the Legion. And finally you will discover from the inside this esprit de corps that empowers the Corps and helps these hommes sans noms to cope with the tensions of their new lives."
©2019 Wilfrid Laurier University Press (P)2020 Wilfrid Laurier University PressCritic Reviews
"In Appel, Joel Struthers has illustrated a soldier’s life on and off duty through his vast experience in diverse training activities and operations. Those with a military background will find this a fascinating story, laced with humour, and told through the eyes of a professional soldier in a renowned military organization, the French Foreign Legion. Those who have not experienced military life will be equally fascinated with a soldier’s insights into the dangerous and demanding profession of arms. (LGen (Retired) RR Crabbe, CMM, MSC, MSM, CD, B Sc)
What listeners say about Appel
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 19-05-2021
An funny, interesting book that is very well read.
If you are interested in the military or even some French history then this is well worth a listen. Following Joels journey through the Canadian army then on to the pinnacle of the French Foreign Legion the GCP. With plenty of laughs and action along the way.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 21-08-2023
a proper legionnaires point of view, trimmed of the fat
I’ve read Joel Struthers books a few times, because I like the zero nonsense. I’m not a ex legionnaire, but I am an ex soldier, and I’m sure most soldiers are intrigued as to what it’s really like in la legion etrangere. This book is it. No tough guy chest beating, but no whining like some other accounts of legion life I’ve read are full of. He doesn’t expose anything but explains In enough detail the folklore, very serious traditions-moreso than any other unit in the world, and daily life of an English speaking legionnaire.
Can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re looking for what it sounds like to hear a real soldier just tell it how it is without trying to sway any opinions, just give you his experiences and viewpoints, you won’t regret it. After all, Canadians are known for being pretty straight up and likeable almost without exception where I come from. Well done Joel Adam Struthers
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 03-06-2021
Was an OK listen
A bit of a history lesson on the Foreign Legion.
If you like action this is not the book for you. He spent more time on how he did in each training run, than he did on any action he was involved with, he would say we went forward and cleared the building, not how they cleared the building, Maybe nothing happened so he didn't bother to elaborate.
If you are thinking of joining the Foreign Legion this is probably a handy book!
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1 person found this helpful