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Tarzan #22
Tarzan and the Foreign Legion
When the American bomber crashed in the jungles of enemy-held Sumatra, the survivors faced the perils of a completely unknown world...and the RAF colonel who had flown with them as observer seemed to compound their danger by going mad—stripping to a loincloth and throwing away his weapons except for his knife. But for Colonel John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, the hazards of wild beasts and a remorseless enemy were a familiar and joyously accepted challenge—a chance to return to his true identiy of Tarzan of the Apes.
Gathering a motley crew of allies of many nations, Tarzan worked a terrible vengeance on the occupying Japanese, led an epic trek to the coast—to a final ocean rendezvous with enemies human and inhuman.
Gathering a motley crew of allies of many nations, Tarzan worked a terrible vengeance on the occupying Japanese, led an epic trek to the coast—to a final ocean rendezvous with enemies human and inhuman.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
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994 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Rice Burroughs
2,856 books2,740 followersEdgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 8, 2020
"GEEZE! Wot a country," growled Shrimp, if you ain't crawlin' down into a hole, you're crawlin' up outta one. God must a-been practicin' when He made this."
"John Clayton," he said, "Lord Greystoke—Tarzan of the Apes!." Shrimp's jaw dropped. "Is dat Johnny Weissmuller?"
This is definitely one of my favorites is the series, and one of the most entertaining ones in my opinion. It holds a bit of similarity to Tarzan the Untamed, but this felt even better to me. Though the ERB's 'perfect ending' was not gifted to this particular book, in my opinion that added a little bit of realism. And Shrimp, by far the favorite character.
"Death has many tricks up his sleeve beside old age. One may outplay him for a while, but he always wins in the end."
"all things must end"
"John Clayton," he said, "Lord Greystoke—Tarzan of the Apes!." Shrimp's jaw dropped. "Is dat Johnny Weissmuller?"
This is definitely one of my favorites is the series, and one of the most entertaining ones in my opinion. It holds a bit of similarity to Tarzan the Untamed, but this felt even better to me. Though the ERB's 'perfect ending' was not gifted to this particular book, in my opinion that added a little bit of realism. And Shrimp, by far the favorite character.
"Death has many tricks up his sleeve beside old age. One may outplay him for a while, but he always wins in the end."
"all things must end"
January 7, 2018
I was a little surprised to stumble across a Tarzan novel with which I was completely unfamiliar. It was published in 1947 by Burroughs himself, and is set on Sumatra during the Second World War. It just seemed a little wrong to me to have a Tarzan set away from Africa in comparatively modern times, though there's nothing wrong with the story itself. It's a nice pulpish adventure, with more of a feminist sensitivity than was common at the time. A big drawback for contemporary readers will be the unrepentant anti-Japanese racism in the book, probably brought on by the fact that Burroughs was at Pearl Harbor during the attack. I enjoyed the read, though it's not traditional Tarzan.
July 27, 2008
Not one of my favorites. Tarzan in World War II.
October 23, 2025
I always enjoy reading Tarzan and this one did not disappoint me. Loved the question from Shrimp asking if that was Johnny Weissmuller when he saw Tarzan. I read the reviews criticizing this book as being racist. Since I grew up with relatives who fought in WWII and saw good friends killed by the enemy, I understand the resulting hatred of "Japs." The setting is a different than ones I read in the past but if you like Tarzan books, you will enjoy this one.
May 11, 2018
I was expecting desert and Frenchmen but what I got was a bunch of Americans, a Dutch girl, and a smattering of others, and Tarzan. I got Tarzan so no complaints. Still, this takes place in Sumatra and it puts Tarzan into a new jungle with tigers instead of lions. It also takes place during World War II which made it a darker and more grounded book than most Tarzan tales. I found the juxtaposition of Tarzan against a more realistic foe jarring and hard to reconcile. I much prefer Tarzan in Africa even if the stories get a little repetitive.
This time around, Tarzan starts the book in the guise of his alter ego, Lieutenant John Clayton, Lord Greystoke. He is in a plane that is shot down over Sumatra and he and the surviving airmen get involved with a Dutch girl who has been orphaned by the Japanese invaders. She's brave, tough, and resourceful and manages to win over this bunch of misogynists.
The treatment of women in this book is actually quite good but the attitude towards the Japanese is appalling. However, Edgar Rice Burroughs was not an outlier for his time. His attitudes and beliefs about "Japs" was typical for his place in time and needs to be understood in that context. I don't have to like it, however, and it was hard to overlook.
The action is typical Tarzan with a lot of captures, escapes, and recaptures. Tarzan gets to save the day again and again and just be Tarzan, and that's all I need.
There is one moment that delighted me. Up to this moment Tarzan's companions have no idea who he really is. To him, he's just a big Englishman who is unaccountably comfortable in the jungle. Then this happens:
“And the man rose and put a foot upon it and, raising his face to the heavens, voiced a horrid cry —the victory cry of the bull ape. Corrie was suddenly terrified of this man who had always seemed so civilized and cultured. Even the men were shocked.
Suddenly recognition lighted the eyes of Jerry Lucas. "John Clayton," he said, "Lord Greystoke— Tarzan of the Apes!"
Shrimp's jaw dropped. "Is dat Johnny Weissmuller?" he demanded.”
What other author has so unironically referenced the real life movies made about his fictional universe? It's almost Inception-like in its self-reference. It would be like Jack Reacher making a comment about Tom Cruise being too short to be authentic or James Bond mentioning Sean Connery's Scottish accent. It was done without a touch of satire, just very straight and it made me laugh out loud.
Speaking of laughing, there's a lot of humor in this one. The men in the party wrangle back and forth and it makes for some light moments in a book that could have been very dark. The romances are also well done and, for a very big change, there is even a multi-racial relationship.
I wouldn't say this is the best of the Tarzan books but it's more original than most of the slush in the latter half of the series. I give it 3 1/2 to 4 stars.
This time around, Tarzan starts the book in the guise of his alter ego, Lieutenant John Clayton, Lord Greystoke. He is in a plane that is shot down over Sumatra and he and the surviving airmen get involved with a Dutch girl who has been orphaned by the Japanese invaders. She's brave, tough, and resourceful and manages to win over this bunch of misogynists.
The treatment of women in this book is actually quite good but the attitude towards the Japanese is appalling. However, Edgar Rice Burroughs was not an outlier for his time. His attitudes and beliefs about "Japs" was typical for his place in time and needs to be understood in that context. I don't have to like it, however, and it was hard to overlook.
The action is typical Tarzan with a lot of captures, escapes, and recaptures. Tarzan gets to save the day again and again and just be Tarzan, and that's all I need.
There is one moment that delighted me. Up to this moment Tarzan's companions have no idea who he really is. To him, he's just a big Englishman who is unaccountably comfortable in the jungle. Then this happens:
“And the man rose and put a foot upon it and, raising his face to the heavens, voiced a horrid cry —the victory cry of the bull ape. Corrie was suddenly terrified of this man who had always seemed so civilized and cultured. Even the men were shocked.
Suddenly recognition lighted the eyes of Jerry Lucas. "John Clayton," he said, "Lord Greystoke— Tarzan of the Apes!"
Shrimp's jaw dropped. "Is dat Johnny Weissmuller?" he demanded.”
What other author has so unironically referenced the real life movies made about his fictional universe? It's almost Inception-like in its self-reference. It would be like Jack Reacher making a comment about Tom Cruise being too short to be authentic or James Bond mentioning Sean Connery's Scottish accent. It was done without a touch of satire, just very straight and it made me laugh out loud.
Speaking of laughing, there's a lot of humor in this one. The men in the party wrangle back and forth and it makes for some light moments in a book that could have been very dark. The romances are also well done and, for a very big change, there is even a multi-racial relationship.
I wouldn't say this is the best of the Tarzan books but it's more original than most of the slush in the latter half of the series. I give it 3 1/2 to 4 stars.
November 3, 2014
This is one of the last books in the Tarzan series, written during World War II. Its depiction of the Japanese, is racist at best, but those were the times. What is interesting is that there is a strong feminist element to the story, which is hardly representative of the times it was written in. There is not only adventure, but a good deal of humor here as well. Despite the racist tone, and that is only directed at the enemy of the day, it is one of the better Tarzan books.
September 17, 2018
#22 of the series. If you’re still reading this series you have to be either a glutton for punishment or a very OCD perfectionist. This is not the Foreign Legion that you expect, the one in the deserts of Africa. But it is the nickname of the band of people that come together for survival.
Col. John Clayton (Tarzan) has joined WWII fighting for the British and is part of an American reconnaissance mission over Jap-held Sumatra. After crashing he and his friends rescue a young female refugee from the Japanese. Corrie van der Meer’s father had been a plantation owner in Sumatra and had been too stubborn to evacuate his family in time.
I’m glad that the location has changed. There’s only so many places to have new adventures in an Africa. Sumatra is a wild tropical-type jungle and different enough to be a refreshing change. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to do anything about the repeating story plot. As usual, Tarzan and group spend so much time searching for someone, escaping and finding, getting kidnapped, re-finding and re-chasing, over and over again that there’s not much real plot getting done. They do kill a lot of Japs and collaborators, etc. but that’s about it. It definitely isn’t a realistic picture of what happened to our side when they got captured. They didn’t have a Tarzan to rescue them.
For such a tough lady Sarina sure helped Corrie awfully fast. But then her whole character was a big surprise and not quite all believable. History too wildly flamboyant for her present.
And the ending? After all the previous, tortuous plot wanderings it was too miraculous, predictable and abrupt. And what happened to Keta the monkey? He was in the boat.
Footnote: 1) Why was this ‘perpetual youth’ thing not mentioned in any of the other books? Sounds odd to me just be thrown in here.
2) The directions they took on their sail from Sumatra to Australia don’t make sense. According to a map they would have had to go back the way they came to go past the Cocos Islands from Java. And if they’re worried about the Cocos what about Christmas island which is right near there? (BTW. It’s Enggano, not Engano). Have no idea where their Nassau is. It doesn’t show up on Google Maps.
Fave scenes: Tarzan’s actions after parachuting down, Tarzan & the language conversation, Corrie & the Durian fruit and what’s the best state argument.
Col. John Clayton (Tarzan) has joined WWII fighting for the British and is part of an American reconnaissance mission over Jap-held Sumatra. After crashing he and his friends rescue a young female refugee from the Japanese. Corrie van der Meer’s father had been a plantation owner in Sumatra and had been too stubborn to evacuate his family in time.
I’m glad that the location has changed. There’s only so many places to have new adventures in an Africa. Sumatra is a wild tropical-type jungle and different enough to be a refreshing change. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to do anything about the repeating story plot. As usual, Tarzan and group spend so much time searching for someone, escaping and finding, getting kidnapped, re-finding and re-chasing, over and over again that there’s not much real plot getting done. They do kill a lot of Japs and collaborators, etc. but that’s about it. It definitely isn’t a realistic picture of what happened to our side when they got captured. They didn’t have a Tarzan to rescue them.
For such a tough lady Sarina sure helped Corrie awfully fast. But then her whole character was a big surprise and not quite all believable. History too wildly flamboyant for her present.
And the ending? After all the previous, tortuous plot wanderings it was too miraculous, predictable and abrupt. And what happened to Keta the monkey? He was in the boat.
Footnote: 1) Why was this ‘perpetual youth’ thing not mentioned in any of the other books? Sounds odd to me just be thrown in here.
2) The directions they took on their sail from Sumatra to Australia don’t make sense. According to a map they would have had to go back the way they came to go past the Cocos Islands from Java. And if they’re worried about the Cocos what about Christmas island which is right near there? (BTW. It’s Enggano, not Engano). Have no idea where their Nassau is. It doesn’t show up on Google Maps.
Fave scenes: Tarzan’s actions after parachuting down, Tarzan & the language conversation, Corrie & the Durian fruit and what’s the best state argument.
October 24, 2018
টারজানের সব বই-ই ভাল।
May 12, 2025
I came across about a dozen paperback copies of Tarzan books in the "free" bin at the library. I had never read a Tarzan book, so I grabbed 5 or 6 of them and took them home. A week or two later I realized I probably wasn't going to read all of them, so I returned all but this one (the Foreign Legion book) to the free bin. I'm sort of wishing I had held onto them.
If this book is representative of the Tarzan series, they're apparently ludicrous. To say one must suspend disbelief is an understatement.
However, this was a fun story, since at no time did I sense any true peril for the principal characters and was able to get a kick out of their predicaments and the resolutions of various conflicts. The ending was absurd, but that's not surprising when the reader is asked to accept that Tarzan can speak to all manner of animals, find convenient vines with which to swing from tree to tree, speak a multitude of languages and, most amazingly, apparently never age! That certainly solves one problem any author faces when writing new installments of an ongoing series. (Compare the Bosch detective series, where Michael Connelly has allowed Bosch to age, for instance.)
A ridiculous story, loaded with racist/xenophobic language that was once acceptable, but great fun. Now I'm kind of wishing I had some others from the series to read when my more modern fiction inventory gets low.
If this book is representative of the Tarzan series, they're apparently ludicrous. To say one must suspend disbelief is an understatement.
However, this was a fun story, since at no time did I sense any true peril for the principal characters and was able to get a kick out of their predicaments and the resolutions of various conflicts. The ending was absurd, but that's not surprising when the reader is asked to accept that Tarzan can speak to all manner of animals, find convenient vines with which to swing from tree to tree, speak a multitude of languages and, most amazingly, apparently never age! That certainly solves one problem any author faces when writing new installments of an ongoing series. (Compare the Bosch detective series, where Michael Connelly has allowed Bosch to age, for instance.)
A ridiculous story, loaded with racist/xenophobic language that was once acceptable, but great fun. Now I'm kind of wishing I had some others from the series to read when my more modern fiction inventory gets low.
August 15, 2025
Written in 1944 (published 1947), Tarzan and the Foreign Legion has the Ape Man, now a W.W. II era RAF colonel, fighting against the Japanese occupation of Sumatra, along with the remains of an American bomber crew, and a few others. While Burroughs racism and eugenics beliefs are cringe worthy to the modern reader, to say the least, he was still a master of the adventure tale and therefore, I would argue, still worth reading. It is hard to read anything written from the first half of the 20th century (and many things written later) without dealing with blatant racism, and impossible to explain how we got where we are (and how much further we need to get) without some knowledge of where society was. But, don’t just read Tarzan for that – these still remain some of the best adventure stories ever written. And the many discussions of humanities role in nature which snake through all of Burrough’s works in themselves make these important writings to experience. I have read nearly all of them, a few multiple times, and I always enjoy them (and there are not that many cringy parts, but those parts, yes, can be VERY cringy indeed).
April 29, 2018
The title is a little misleading. I was expecting desert forts and Beau Geste types, but instead this is set in the Sumatran jungle. A plane crash drops Tarzan and some American airmen slap bang in the middle of Japanese-occupied territory. Add to the mix plucky Dutch girl Corrie, who quickly proves she's as good as any of the soldiers, along with tension, adventure, and a non-stop parade of action right until the last page, as the characters strive to escape to Australia. There is a rich seam of humour too, in the back-and-forth between the Americans, two of whom profess to be women-haters. It's enjoyable to see them have their attitudes changed! A cracking read with a high body count, and Tarzan being as marvellous as ever; the more he acts like an animal, the more he shows us how humans ought to carry on.
June 9, 2017
Wearying of the same old re-writes of the Janeless Tarzan books, with the same handful of re-worked generic plots, I decided to jump ahead to some of the later works. This one came as a delightful surprise--Tarzan as a WWII hero! I was also surprised that in spite of the title it wasn't set in N. Africa, as I expected, but in Sumatra after Tarz...er, Col. Clayton of the RAF and some American flyboys survive a crash onto the Japanese held island and join with Sumatran citizens who had formed a jungle-resistance amidst nests of Japanese collaborators, so his group of plucky survivors dubbed themselves the foreign legion. Now Tarzan must use his jungle smarts in a unfamiliar jungle with beasts he hasn't met before--if you think that would be a biggie, then you don't know Tarzan, what a guy! This book had interesting adventures, interesting characters, and a more than average amount of humor. I found it to be a breath of fresh air.
December 26, 2019
It is World War II. Tarzan has joined the RAF (Royal Air Force) under his real name, John Clayton, and he is shot down over Sumatra in the Dutch East Indies (that's Indonesia, today). He is with his companions of various nationalities (his "Foreign Legion") and together they have to survive and escape not only the jungles of Sumatra, but the enemy Japanese as well. Incidentally, Edgar Rice Burroughs was in Hawaii when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. So anyone reading this book needs to be aware that Burroughs reflects the widespread attitudes of that era and that the "Japs" were our enemy back then. We can all be grateful that that has all changed since then.
May 19, 2024
By far the worst of the Tarzan tales.
Taking place during World War II, John Clayton aka Tarzan is in the RAF attached to an American bomber crew on a reconnaissance mission. Shot down over Sumatra, Clayton takes on his Tarzan persona to fight the Japanese.
It wouldn't have been that bad of a story but for the pervasive, over-the-top racism against the Japanese. Often referred to as inhuman, monkey men, etc... It becomes sickening after a while.
I am sure that there were similar feelings among many Americans at the time, but to modern sensibilities, it gets old quickly.
Taking place during World War II, John Clayton aka Tarzan is in the RAF attached to an American bomber crew on a reconnaissance mission. Shot down over Sumatra, Clayton takes on his Tarzan persona to fight the Japanese.
It wouldn't have been that bad of a story but for the pervasive, over-the-top racism against the Japanese. Often referred to as inhuman, monkey men, etc... It becomes sickening after a while.
I am sure that there were similar feelings among many Americans at the time, but to modern sensibilities, it gets old quickly.
November 22, 2025
One of my favorite Tarzan novels. Here, Tarzan clearly takes a liking to his American and Dutch companions and, rather than remain his usual enigmatic and laconic self, he treats them like friends and engages them in conversations, which lead to interesting revelations about his perpetual youth.
On a side note, the theme of the book seems to be that hatred can be a good thing if you hate your enemies. However, antithetical to this wrong-headed theme, Tarzan has no hatred. He merely considers the practical ramifications of the situation and deals out death when he deems it necessary.
On a side note, the theme of the book seems to be that hatred can be a good thing if you hate your enemies. However, antithetical to this wrong-headed theme, Tarzan has no hatred. He merely considers the practical ramifications of the situation and deals out death when he deems it necessary.
June 19, 2021
Well, wasn’t this a right rollicking read. This book takes place in Sumatra during WWII and sees Tarzan as a Colonel in the British Army aiding some allied troops escape. This was by far the best story to date. So many WWII book are Europe based, so, having Japan as “the enemy” was truly novel.
HOWEVER; Tarzan is a Colonel? How and when did that happen? What was he doing on a plane? For the first three chapters, I thought it was his son. The ending, tense, but too quick, AGAIN.
HOWEVER; Tarzan is a Colonel? How and when did that happen? What was he doing on a plane? For the first three chapters, I thought it was his son. The ending, tense, but too quick, AGAIN.
February 14, 2019
The usual ERB digressions and word padding, but a thoroughly enjoyable read with Tarzan placed squarely in a contemporary(at the time) setting of WWII Malaysia(!) where he and his (foreign) legion battle the japanese in with predictable jingoistic fervor. Of course there is a fair-haired damsel along for the ride for the love interest and to be rescued several times. Love it.
May 18, 2022
This has a completely different feel from the other Tarzan novels. Tarzan acts as a responsible military officer throughout, and the perils are almost entirely due to enemy action.
Japanese soldiers are the chief villains, and Burroughs does not demonize them quite as much as he could have, even giving some of them plausible backgrounds.
Japanese soldiers are the chief villains, and Burroughs does not demonize them quite as much as he could have, even giving some of them plausible backgrounds.
September 16, 2020
#22 in the Tarzan series. Set during World War II, Tarzan battles Japanese soldiers on Sumatra. Different tone than the earlier novels, not the least by the change in setting which has him battling tigers rather than lions.
December 30, 2024
In which Tarzan is serving in the Royal Air Force, gets shot down over the island of Sumatra and uses his jungle skills to survive. He also recalls a story of saving a witch doctor in his youth who in turn gifted him with long-lasting youth.
September 25, 2025
Наконец-то в серии снова появилось хоть какое-то разнообразие. События происходят на Суматре после захвата ее Японией во время Второй мировой войны. Правда, автор перебарщивает в принижении японцев: такие смехотворные персонажи вряд ли могли иметь успех в начале войны.
January 1, 2026
I read this in elementary school, when I went through a Tarzan phase. A Royal Air Force bomber crashes in the jungle. Onboard is John Clayton, better known as Tarzan. This gets really stupid really quickly, but it is not short on action. This is not the worst of the series, but it is pretty bad.
May 30, 2020
The 22nd in the series, this one has Tarzan getting a group of animals together to fight against an enemy. The Foreign legion is in quotes at the beginning of the book.
January 2, 2022
Tarzan is the best. Love the reference to Johnny Weissmuller in this book.
April 21, 2024
I found it tough going!!! Tempted to try Tarzan and the jewels of opar next!!
January 26, 2025
A fascinating "late period/style" book for Burroughs and a fairly unique experiment for a pulp literature character!
February 9, 2025
It is a good story from the end of Burroughs's writing career
December 12, 2025
Another fun adventure! It was a lot of fun being in a new environment while still having the familiar jungle aspects. Tarzan is the best!
May 5, 2020
I've always loved the way ERB created secondary and supporting characters in the Tarzan series. As he did in most of his novels after "Tarzan and the Ant Men," ERB returns to the device of revolving the plot around the supporting characters - characters who through interaction with Tarzan, have their circumstances dramatically improved. In the case of "Tarzan and the Foreign Legion," ERB goes too far in his stereotyped portrayal of a small group of American soldiers who crash in the jungles of the East Indies during a WW2 reconnaissance mission. Lord Greystoke, British Col. John Clayton, is along for the resulting trek out of enemy territory, hastened by the pursuit of a cruel Japanese detachment.
At first, the dialogue is forgivable. Each character gets a brief introduction and some choice morsels of dialogue. Where previous new characters in other ERB stories are appealing within a few paragraphs, these characters seem like cardboard cutouts. One soldier from Brooklyn speaks like a gangster from "Guys and Dolls" while another interrupts his "dese, dems" and "dose" with a carefully pronounced selection of scientific names for the botanical and anthropoid species he encounters. It's not long before I got the characters mixed up, and their somewhat superficial canned exchanges become tiring. "Just bein' a dame spells trouble." harkens back to sound bites of "South Pacific." As the troop of Americans, Dutch, Chinese and English develop loyalty and affection for one another, romance is sure to follow between the opposite sexes.
Since this book was published in 1947, it's understandable that the prejudices of WW2 would persist for generations after the Allied Victory. When ERB imbues our cast of heroes with slang like "the Japs" it may be hard to swallow seventy years after the war. Yet if one pauses to remember that derogatory terms were made popular by men on the front lines, justified in part due to their desperate ground conditions and "us vs. them" camaraderie, it's sobering to read a narrative that doesn't care about political correctness. ERB wrote these characters as he imagined they sounded on the front lines, and I for one appreciate that portrayal of historic wartime. As a boy I remember playing "Army" like everyone else my age. If you were popular you got to be an American. If you weren't so lucky, you were a "Jap." That derogatory sentiment has faded over the decades. I can't imagine anyone justifying those terms today.
If anything I craved a more classic, gritty Tarzan in "Tarzan and The Foreign Legion." Other adventures have displayed a Tarzan with more introspection, menace and threat. I savor the moments when Tarzan fully intimidates or overpowers his opponents with speed, savagery and strength. Tarzan is crafty and deadly in this tale, but I could have used less of the "Tarzan leaves camp to find food" device and more of the "Tarzan lifted the lion high over his head" spectacular displays. If you love Tarzan, this book will satisfy, but I wouldn't include it in my top ten.
At first, the dialogue is forgivable. Each character gets a brief introduction and some choice morsels of dialogue. Where previous new characters in other ERB stories are appealing within a few paragraphs, these characters seem like cardboard cutouts. One soldier from Brooklyn speaks like a gangster from "Guys and Dolls" while another interrupts his "dese, dems" and "dose" with a carefully pronounced selection of scientific names for the botanical and anthropoid species he encounters. It's not long before I got the characters mixed up, and their somewhat superficial canned exchanges become tiring. "Just bein' a dame spells trouble." harkens back to sound bites of "South Pacific." As the troop of Americans, Dutch, Chinese and English develop loyalty and affection for one another, romance is sure to follow between the opposite sexes.
Since this book was published in 1947, it's understandable that the prejudices of WW2 would persist for generations after the Allied Victory. When ERB imbues our cast of heroes with slang like "the Japs" it may be hard to swallow seventy years after the war. Yet if one pauses to remember that derogatory terms were made popular by men on the front lines, justified in part due to their desperate ground conditions and "us vs. them" camaraderie, it's sobering to read a narrative that doesn't care about political correctness. ERB wrote these characters as he imagined they sounded on the front lines, and I for one appreciate that portrayal of historic wartime. As a boy I remember playing "Army" like everyone else my age. If you were popular you got to be an American. If you weren't so lucky, you were a "Jap." That derogatory sentiment has faded over the decades. I can't imagine anyone justifying those terms today.
If anything I craved a more classic, gritty Tarzan in "Tarzan and The Foreign Legion." Other adventures have displayed a Tarzan with more introspection, menace and threat. I savor the moments when Tarzan fully intimidates or overpowers his opponents with speed, savagery and strength. Tarzan is crafty and deadly in this tale, but I could have used less of the "Tarzan leaves camp to find food" device and more of the "Tarzan lifted the lion high over his head" spectacular displays. If you love Tarzan, this book will satisfy, but I wouldn't include it in my top ten.
October 20, 2020
Tarzan in a foreign jungle with a very eclectic group of soldiers, civilians, and pirates! You read that right, pirates! Well, one pirate anyway and she joined late in the book. But still, a pirate!
This book takes places in '42 (near as I can tell) with Colonel John Clayton (RAF) being assigned to a top secret mission. As usual, his plane is shot down and an entirely different adventure takes place. Come to think of it, I don't recall ever reading what was the original mission. An issue for Tarzan biographers, I think.
The new mission is to survive hostile territory, find a way off the island where they have crashed, and rescue a Dutch girl who has been hiding from the Japanese Army for over two years. Tarzan and his Legion perform heroically, but then again this is Tarzan after all.
What made the book stand out for me now was the same reason it did when I first read it as a kid. The discussion of Tarzan's long life. Near the end of the book, one of the legionnaires mentions that his father read about Tarzan's adventures when he was a boy. When it is pointed out that Tarzan looks no older than the rest of his party (20s and 30s), he reveals two adventures where he was given treatments and potions to extend his life while still keeping his youth.
This alone makes the novel well worth your time and effort to track down a copy. That it is also a cracking good adventure story is simply a bonus!
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
This book takes places in '42 (near as I can tell) with Colonel John Clayton (RAF) being assigned to a top secret mission. As usual, his plane is shot down and an entirely different adventure takes place. Come to think of it, I don't recall ever reading what was the original mission. An issue for Tarzan biographers, I think.
The new mission is to survive hostile territory, find a way off the island where they have crashed, and rescue a Dutch girl who has been hiding from the Japanese Army for over two years. Tarzan and his Legion perform heroically, but then again this is Tarzan after all.
What made the book stand out for me now was the same reason it did when I first read it as a kid. The discussion of Tarzan's long life. Near the end of the book, one of the legionnaires mentions that his father read about Tarzan's adventures when he was a boy. When it is pointed out that Tarzan looks no older than the rest of his party (20s and 30s), he reveals two adventures where he was given treatments and potions to extend his life while still keeping his youth.
This alone makes the novel well worth your time and effort to track down a copy. That it is also a cracking good adventure story is simply a bonus!
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews