Rendezvous with Death

The Americans Who Joined the Foreign Legion in 1914 to Fight for France and for Civilization

By: David Hanna

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Before America joined World War I, a small group of Americans volunteered for the French Foreign Legion to help defeat the Central Powers. Historian David Hanna profiles seven of these volunteers: a poet, an artist, a boxer, a stunt pilot, a college student, a veteran of the Spanish American War, and an advertising executive. All seven men were united in courage; and some, like poet Alan Seeger, paid the ultimate sacrifice. Before he was killed in battle, Seeger penned the immortal words that inspired this book's title: "I've a rendezvous with Death At midnight in some flaming town, When Spring trips north again this year, And I to my pledged word am true, I shall not fail that rendezvous."

©2016 David Hanna (P)2016 Tantor

Amazing story, horrendous French

The content is amazing. The story itself of selfless young Americans coming to France’s aide is fascinating. The recording is clear, but the narrator completely butchered the French language. I speak the language at conversational fluency and at many points (when he cited names, locations, etc.) had no idea what he was talking about . It seemed to get a little better as the narration went on. Still worth getting and hearing this unique history.

Wonderful

What an amazing story! Adventure, romance, idealism, and poetry...a story that need to be read in today's times of cynicism. I would highly recommend 😊

A Great Book on a Niche WWI Topic

I enjoyed this audiobook. Hanna's research on the topic is clearly thorough, and he provides sufficient detail to help the reader/listener identify with the individuals whose stories he recounts, while keeping the narrative moving. Definitely a worthwhile read/listen on a niche First World War topic.

It may seem like "damning with faint praise," but the reader did a good job: good pace, appropriate voicing, not monotone. Plenty of audiobooks butcher the author's material, and this one definitely didn't.

Solid

Really good story, a little all over the place at times but quite good. Recommend.

Interesting book about a largely forgotten subject

Well research history book, story told in a very engaging manner. Fascinating how it described the passion of these men who dropped everything and went to fight in someone else’s war because they wanted to stand up against a bully. Their spiritual descendants are at work now in Ukraine.