Book Talk with Janet Wallach

In her latest book, Flirting with Danger, Janet Wallach tells the true story of Marguerite Harrison, a glamorous Socialite who became a daring Spy. The only female agent sent overseas by U.S. Military Intelligence in the tumultuous era at the end of World War I, she was the first American woman to enter Germany, where she dined with the kaiser’s generals and befriended Bolshevik agents, stealing secrets from both sides. She then snuck into Russia, interviewed Trotsky, saw Lenin deliver a mesmerizing speech, and was kept for almost a year in the infamous Lubyanka prison.

Harrison won praise from Intelligence officials for her reports yet returned home an unsung heroine. Warning of a coming second war with the Germans and a cold war with the Soviets, her prescience was ignored. Nonetheless, she went on to work in the Far East and made a landmark documentary film in Iran. Intelligent and daring, she spoke seven languages fluently and loved adventure.

Dini von Mueffling, CEO of the award-winning public relations firm and current The Church board Member, will lead a discussion with Janet Wallach about the book, the writing experience, and all that we can gain from sharing stories.