In the late 1930s, Alice Marble was among the world's leading tennis players and is still regarded as one of America's greatest female athletes. Her name, however, is barely recognized today. I’m pleased to say I am well-acquainted with Alice Marble, which piqued my interest in reading Ace, Marvel, Spy by Jenni L. Walsh, a work of historical fiction using Marble's autobiography as its primary source.
Alice Marble grew up in San Francisco and discovered her passion for tennis at 13. With her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive serve-and-volley style, Alice was determined to succeed. She found the ideal coach in Eleanor "Teach" Tennant, who guided Alice to win 18 Grand Slam Championships and introduced her to the biggest celebrities of the time. However, World War II disrupted her career. Alice's life before the war is described in the past tense, while her experiences during the war are in the present tense, including her involvement in espionage. Although her spy activities for U.S. Army Intelligence remain unproven beyond her autobiography, Walsh includes in this engaging book the story Alice consistently stood by. Alice Marble led a remarkable life, from her tennis achievements and Hollywood connections to writing for Wonder Woman comics and her wartime endeavors. This book offers an entertaining portrayal of an inspiring woman.
Many thanks to the author and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read this book before its publication.
Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.
Historical Fiction.
Publication Date: January 14, 2025.
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