Typhoid Mary: An Urban Historical

Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Cookbooks, Food & Wine

Anthony Bourdain tells the story of Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant cook who became known as Typhoid Mary in early twentieth century New York. Mallon carried typhoid fever without showing symptoms and spread it to the families she cooked for. Health authorities forced her into isolation on North Brother Island, where she spent decades. Writing as a fellow cook, Bourdain views her story with sympathy and explores the medical, social and kitchen worlds of her time.