The Black Widow

A Memoir

By: Dana Benbow, Jeanette Lee

Narrated by: Greta Jung

A CANDID AND MOVING AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY “THE BLACK WIDOW” OF BILLIARDS.

Jeanette Lee was 18 years old when she walked into a New York City pool hall and became enamored by the elegant geometry of the game. Before long, she was an unmistakable figure on the international competition circuit, dressed head-to-toe in black, stalking the billiards table, and gazing down her cue as if tracking her prey.

In this new memoir, the woman nicknamed “The Black Widow” opens up about her legendary career and the rich, unpredictable life she’s woven around it. Lee details her upbringing in a Korean American household in Brooklyn, her single-minded drive to reach the pinnacle of her sport, and her unlikely entry into the realm of mainstream celebrity in an era where female athletes rarely got their share of the limelight.

Lee also reflects on her lifelong struggle with scoliosis, which necessitated over 20 operations during her playing career; her public battle with Stage 4 ovarian cancer; and the communities that gave her strength throughout. Written with warmth and candor, this is the definitive story of a true icon.

“For as long as I’ve known my friend Jeanette Lee, she has been just a tower of inspiration and power to all that she meets. From her amazing skill on the billiard table to the kindness of her soul, I am so grateful for what she’s done. Not only in billiards, but for women all over the world.”—Nancy Lieberman, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer

©2024 Jeanette Lee and Dana Benbow (P)2024 Recorded Books

Repetitive and boring with almost nothing about pool

Extremely repetitive and boring. Not sure I will even finish the book. Almost 3 hours in and ive heard the same stories 5 times about her sister and scoliosis. Wondering when or if it will even get into anything about pool. Sorry Jeanette, but I wish I could get my credit back on this one.

Terrible writing. Redundant and boring

Some of the worst writing I have ever read. Same stories and statements repeated over and over. Could have been half the size and still said everything