Courting Danger: My Adventures in World-Class Tennis, Golden Age Hollywood, and High-Stakes Spying

by Alice Marble

Alice Marble was the darling of international tennis and social circles in the 1930s. She was the top-ranked female tennis player in America from 1936-1940, winning five Wimbledon and 12 U.S. Open titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Her public life was filled with success, but her private life was a different story. Working with writer Dale Leatherman, Marble reveals that she was fatherless at six, raped at 15, and diagnosed with tuberculosis at 19, just as her tennis career was taking off. A genuine “comeback kid,” she overcame obstacles that would have defeated a lesser person. After the biggest personal trauma of her life, she consented to undertake a spy mission for the U.S. Army during WWII. The Hollywood anecdotes will delight classic movie buffs; Marble's hair-raising exploits as a spy will please those who like thrillers; and the highs and lows of this remarkable woman's life will satisfy romantics. A window into the world of international tennis and Hollywood in the 1930s, Courting Danger entertains on so many levels that non-tennis fans will enjoy it, too. The book was one of the lead titles published in hardback by St. Martins Press in 1990. The paperback was published in 1991.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Sports, History, Biography

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1991

About the author

Alice Irene Marble was an American tennis player who won 18 Grand Slam championships between 1936 and 1940: five in singles, six in women's doubles, and seven in mixed doubles. She was ranked world No. 1 in 1939.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for tennis wonks

Wow! I had never heard of Alice Marble until this book was mentioned on Tennis Channel.
What a fascinating woman who played and followed her passions on and off the court.
I don't play but I loved learning the history of one the great leading ladies of the sport.

[Heidi Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story! She hangs out with Carol Lombard and Clark Gable, miraculously recovers from tuberculosis and car crashes, spies in a castle vault during WWII, and lives to teach Billie Jean King? What more could you want?

In my case, a decent narrator. The author used some text-to-speech tool to narrate the audiobook, which mispronounced key words, emphasized phrases bizarrely, and left key emotional moments totally flat.

I can’t believe someone who cared enough to write this story cares so little for readers that they’d let some robot ruin their fine work.

Please please please get a real narrator to read this.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5. I enjoyed this book. It is more a personal memoir than a tennis memoir, but it touched on several things I enjoy reading about. Note that there is a detailed description of rape. When you get to the part where she's talking about how she never expected to be in danger while walking through the park, prepare to skip the next page or two if this is a problem for you.

It reminded me of some of Kage Baker's stories, the ones set in California's early history. If you've read her Company series you'll know why I had to restrain the mad scientist cackling when I got to the part where someone remarked that William Randolph Hearst had saved a bunch of furnishings and banners from an Italian abbey from "war and time."

Anyway, after reading this, I'm rather sad that Alice Marble has essentially been forgotten. In some ways this book is very uncritical about American society as assorted time periods, but it was a fun diversionary read.

Date finished is approximate.

[Josh Hilden · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little fact-checking makes me wonder about some of the author's claims. Jadwiga "Ja-Ja" Jędrzejowska died in 1980, not during W.W.II. How did the author forget that Ja-Ja lost in the 1947 mixed doubles final at the French? That's a strange mistake for someone with a "photographic memory." Her supposed spy mission also leaves a lot to the imagination. I wanted to believe it all, but I'm a little dubious about some parts of this story.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more interesting than I thought it would be. Never heard much about this former Wimbledon champ, but her book provided insight into the intersection of wealth, tennis, and celebrities in the 1930’s. A worthwhile read.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of awesome book that make you wonder what other stories have never crossed your path before.

[Kris Janzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tennis champion Alice Marble tells her own story (with co-author Dale Leatherman) in “Courting Danger: My Adventures in World-Class Tennis, Golden-Age Hollywood and High-Stakes Spying,” published in 1991, the year after her death (perhaps so no one could question her about it?). It starts off as you’d expect with her childhood and moves into her start in tennis, her manipulative coach, and ultimately the key role she played in women’s tennis.

In my view, she described too many details of jet-setting and hobnobbing with the rich and famous, and not enough about her challenges and tragedies, of which there were apparently many. These latter incidents all came across devoid of emotion.

Those interested in the piece of Marble’s puzzle that relates to spying must wait until the final fifth of the book. Here Marble finally illuminates what seems to be a remarkable experience, one very risky and important mission. The story was so spectacular, the role Marble played so heroic, it felt worth the wait, but then, that turned into a problem. Was it possible? So many doubts seeped in that I researched Marble’s life elsewhere, and found that in his new biography, “The Divine Miss Marble: A Life of Tennis, Fame and Mystery,” published in 2020, author Robert Weintraub could not confirm many of the non-tennis-related events she describes. So much for autobiographies as “true.” Weintraub’s book, however, might just offer me the research and sourcing I desire—time to add that one to my list.

[Nancy Loe · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much of this reads like a romp through a life of privilege and fame owing to extraordinary physical skills and beauty, and so it was very enjoyable.

The parts about Carole Lombard and Clark Gable being big supporters of her and her enmeshed relationship with her coach, Eleanor "Teach" Tennant, ring true. I read this initially for the chapters on San Simeon. (Even if WRH was known for standing in one place on the tennis court and expecting the ball to be sent his way.)

But somewhere around 1939, at the peak of her tennis success, this autobiography descends into what could only pass as warmed-over B movie romances. So much of the few bits of information she shares simply do not bear up to actual truth.

How I wish there had been a "Joseph Norman Crowley," Kansas farmboy turned WWII pilot/ intelligence officer, killed in the closing months of the war, defeating their great love. Or "Hans Steinmetz," the wealthy Swiss playboy who was practically sent from Central Casting to seduce her on a beach at Le Touquet, and of course still pantingly available to her years later for an undercover spy escapade in 1945 to avenge the death of her Army Air Corps lover/husband.

Whu did she feel the need to turn her fascinating autobiography into fantasy? Was it concentrating on tennis to the exclusion of everything else? Being in thrall to Teach and needing to break away, even in retrospect? A salve to the realities she remembered while writing this autobiography as she was dying of cancer?

I suspect we shall never know.

[Carolyn Deboer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give a 4.5 if I could. If you're not into tennis it might be too tedious in spots as she goes into a lot of detail recounting past matches and tournaments. Otherwise, it's a great story of a remarkable life. Outstanding athlete, WW2 spy and long-term devotee to the sport of tennis. Because of her excellence in a sport as social as tennis, she was invited to play with some of the richest people in the world whereby she met movie stars and a long list of famous people.

This is my second time reading this book. First time I read the paperback. I listened to this version with an automated voice doing text to speech. It sounded very natural and only with a few words could I tell it wasn't a real person reading:
paté = pate
lamé = lame
coupe = I forgot... maybe coup-ee
Carole = car-roll

[Laura Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although I found it written very simply. It made me want to research Alice's life a little bit more, and I found some youtube videos of her playing in tournaments which was really fun to watch. She was a great tennis player!! Her relationship with her long time coach was complex and ultimately a bit destructive to her, as a person. Reading about all that was very interesting. And her spy life was very interesting! I would recommend this book.

[Jessica Yvonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great story, amazing woman. Tedious read

If you are into tennis more than a casual player, you will enjoy ALL the details. I liked reading about the time period, the tennis world before the days of becoming a Pro, but I kept waiting for the piece about being a spy. It wasn’t until the very end.

[Michelle Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting. The spy stuff didn't come until the end, but I really loved hearing about her life and playing tennis. Her life and career was an example of strength, courage and endurance. I thought this was terrific and had trouble putting it down towards the end. Can't wait for the film!

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

The audiobook was read by AI! Which was weird but I needed an audiobook version. The description of the tennis matches was a bit boring. And the book was boring overall. But yes, Alice lived an amazing life. The epilogue was maybe the most interesting part.

[Carolyn Coughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating life with a great “ cast” - the beginning of book went too slow for me but I stuck with it and it got better as story went on. Alice Marble had such determination and courage. I enjoyed the last third.

[Alexis Weltman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a tennis fan so I enjoyed this book. Alice Marble had a fascinating life. A quick read. This would be a great limited series because there are so many interesting chapters in her life.

[Ned Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read autobiography of a tennis star I had no idea how successful and brave she was.

[Paula Drapcho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read; enjoyed her tennis perspective, insider view of Hollywood stars, and the secret life of spies. And if you're a tennis player, definitely read!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courting Danger is the life story of a remarkable and resilient woman. Filled with colorful anecdotes about tennis and Hollywood, the book also reveals her most dangerous off-court escapde as a spy for U.S. Army Intelligence during WWII. Her hair-raising mission and escape are the climax to a real-life tale that readers of Beryl Markham and The Spy Wore Red will enjoy.

Very interesting as I had never even heard of Alice Marble and she had an extremely interesting start to her career and inclusion in the Hollywood set ; not to mention she was from SF and learned to play in Golden Gate Park

[Kathy Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been playing tennis for over 50 years but there is so much that I do not know about how professional tennis (WTA) got to where it is today.
I loved reading this book by Alice Marble. Her story is fascinating! If her story was written as fiction no one would think that it could actually be true. She lived an amazing life!
After reading several other professional tennis player autobiographies there is are common traits of determination and resilience.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Marble lived a life that would sound interesting regardless who told it. It’s a shame this autobiography doesn’t do it justice. This is a story that begs the hands of a craftsman. The book needed to be developed and expanded on some of the tennis rivalries and more of Teach’s story. And now I would imagine her spy work would be declassified so that portion of the story could use more development. The book is only 250 pages so you are never bored, but there are times you wish she fleshed out the story more. I’m guessing this story is going to get a retelling at some point in the future. It’s too good to be forgotten.

I was torn between 3 and 4 stars but when she mentions Clark Gable’s penis, that put her into “4” territory

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

: inspiring

I picked this up on kindle unlimited and am glad that amazon offers a wide range of topics as well as quality books in their selection. The book was a fast paced story of Alice Marble's life during one of the most turbulent periods in history. She is a woman of remarkable loyalties, endurance and personal strength and a pioneer in women tennis. Though there were many errors in spelling/incorrect word substitution closer to the end of the book, it was good reading.

[Karolyn Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ran across this memoir, COURTING DANGER, by Alice Marble, through research on my WIP. She was such an interesting person, I read her story in basically one day.

I find it difficult to grade memoirs because they are so personal. This one, however, was well-written, fascinating, and believable. Or at least she made me want to believe.

Four Stars

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story, that should be more well known! Neither her life nor the book ever got boring for me.

[Suzanne Bierlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had an old Wilson tennis racket with name and photo of Alice Marble. Looked her up. Found this book. Very interesting biography of a tennis great!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. That said I come from a tennis family. The book was interesting and fast paced.

[reveurdart · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tennis Champion Alice Marble enjoyed a position on All-American's advisory board during the 1940s and was Wonder Woman's associate editor." - Paul Levitz

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating ! This woman had an incredible life, on and off the courts. I recommend the book.

[Cheryl Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

There should be a movie...awesome book.