Known for its austerity and discipline, deprivation and sacrifice, the French Foreign Legion is perhaps the most intriguing and famous fighting force in the world. For 170 years, jobless, homeless and loveless men have found in the Legion a sense of purpose worth all the rigors and risks of serving in the world's longest-standing mercenary army. The Legion has never had any problem attracting recruits: seven out of ten applicants are still rejected. But what draws men from so many countries and social backgrounds to accept the harsh discipline of this legendary mercenary army with a rigid nineteenth-century code of honor? Douglas Boyd tells the eventful story of the Legion from its inception in 1831 to defend France's colonial interests, to the Legion of today involved in peacekeeping and humanitarian duties worldwide, and examines the reasons behind the love-hate relationship between France and the foreigners she pays to spill their blood for her.--From publisher description.