Flirting with Danger

The Mysterious Life of Marguerite Harrison, Socialite Spy

By: Janet Wallach

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

A NEW YORK TIMES EDITOR'S CHOICE

"A compelling story that pulsates with the energy of a thriller"—The Wall Street Journal

"Suspense, élan and a generous helping of glamour: Think George Smiley in a mink-trimmed coat."—The New York Times Book Review

The true story of socialite Marguerite Harrison, who spied for U.S. military intelligence in Russia and Germany in the fraught period between the world wars

Born a privileged child of America’s Gilded Age, Marguerite Harrison rebelled against her mother’s ambitions, married the man she loved, was widowed at thirty-seven, and set off on a life of adventure. Hired as a society reporter, when America entered World War I she applied to Military Intelligence to work as a spy.

She arrived in Berlin immediately after the Armistice and befriended the enemy, dining with aristocrats and dancing with socialists. Late into the night she wrote prescient reports on the growing power of the German right. Sent to Moscow, she sneaked into Russia to observe the results of the Bolshevik Revolution. Although she carried press credentials she was caught and imprisoned as an American spy. Terrified when told her only way out was to spy for the Cheka, she became a double agent, aiming to convince the Russian rulers she was working for them while striving to stay loyal to her country.

In Germany and Russia, Harrison saw the future—a second war with Germany, a cold war with the Soviets—but her reports were ignored by many back home. Over a decade, Harrison’s mysterious adventures took her to Europe, Baghdad, and the Far East, as a socialite, secret agent, and documentary filmmaker. Janet Wallach captures Harrison’s daring and glamour in this stranger-than-fiction history of a woman drawn to the impossible.

©2023 Janet Wallach (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Janet Wallach delivers an enthusiastic portrait of a Baltimore socialite who defied expectations."—The Washington Post

"Suspense, élan and a generous helping of glamour: Think George Smiley in a mink-trimmed coat."—The New York Times Book Review

"It was a life well-lived. Baltimore socialite, journalist, author, intrepid explorer, and filmmaker—and a spy for American military intelligence, Marguerite Harrison broke all the rules for a young woman in the early 20th century. Biographer Janet Wallach has brilliantly rediscovered this fabulous life and spins a colorful tale of a smart, beautiful young woman who was too bored to stay at home. Instead, she runs off to revolutionary Russia, interviews Leon Trotsky in Moscow, befriends John Reed and considers Emma Goldman \"a sympathetic soul.\" Twice imprisoned by the Bolsheviks, Harrison manages to survive for more wild adventures in the Middle East, the Far East and Mongolia. Wallach’s heroine is a feisty feminist—but her espionage, working under the cover of a journalist, underscores the lost art of human intelligence collection in the modern spy business."—Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and director of the Leon Levy Center for Biography

Fascinating

Through this inspiring personal narrative, the reader also learns much about international relations both -historic and contemporary.

Fascinating

This amazing woman traveled and spied in Russia, Siberia, and the Mideast. She connected with world leaders, warlords and tribesmen. She was imprisoned and lived to write about. A great take and an entertaining listen.

Depiction of mail characet‘s life

What a fascinating life! Marguerite Harrison lived a life many cannot even dream of and blazed many trails.

Fascinating, story of a courageous woman

Marguerite Harrison led a fascinating, courageous life and this biography covers it in a richly detailed way. If I didn't know the adventures were true I might have questioned them. The book recounts remarkable tales of everything from the Weimar Republic to Iran during the reign of the last Shah. Highly recommended biography that often made me feel as though I were along the adventures with Marguerite, experiencing the difficulties and pleasures of them.

The narrator did an excellent job, too.

The rich descriptions of the characters brought them to life.

I loved learning about the complex political world throughout the entire period covered. It has piqued my interest to learn more, especially because it seems we are reliving in the current world conditions. I liked Marguerite's character. She was depicted as fearless and adept at many things like climbing mountains, talking her way around ruthless foreign officials, highly adept at executing. emergency medical treatment, pre armed with a very ample supply of drugs, personal beauty in spite of her harsh travails. All of this is intriguing but wasn't totally feasible or believable. It held my interest to the end.

The daring nature of her character.

I loved the description of all the accounts of the international social and political situations of the time. I was somewhat annoyed by the lack of information or follow up on her tuberculosis and her relationship she had with her son. I either missed or didn’t know what accommodations she had made for her son while she was away for so long. Also, and apparently the book was written in the second person, so everything was, “she said, she was”…..etc. The narrator was okay but it got tedious listening to the same voice reciting the text. It lacked a personalization that one usually gets with a biography. Amazing woman though, especially her ability to withstand great physical and environmental hardship. Even more amazing given she grew up as a heiress!!

Quite a story about a remarkable woman

Marguerite Harrison led an incredible life of intrigue, travel, and intellect. She was amazingly talented. And the story is worth hearing, The narrator does a great job. The writing is a little bit too much flourish and it never really conveys the dark side of Marguerite, although clearly there has to be one. It is an homage to an underappreciated and truly amazing human without showing any flaws. That makes it just a tiny bit one-sided.

Interesting story bogged down by monotony of tone and pacing

The story would be more captivating as a feature article rather than a book. Character development and limited insight into personal motivations give the reading a flat quality despite the intriguing geographical and political forays of a daring and spirited woman