Fatal Fever: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary

Reviewed by: Karen Silverman - Scarborough High School/Scarborough Middle School, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 16, 2015

Review

Centered on the life of Mary "Typhoid Mary" Mallon, who carried the typhoid bacterium while never sick herself, this fascinating account of a medical mystery and the development of public health programs in the US is a tour de force. Meticulously researched with extensive source notes and bibliography, this book will give students great fodder for further research and discussion. Mary Mallon was basically imprisoned for much of her life by the New York City Department of Health while other "healthy carriers" caused more outbreaks and deaths than Mary did. Extensively details the outbreak in Ithaca, NY, George Soper's role as outbreak researcher and public sanitation reformer, and Josephine Baker's role as a public health doctor and expert in improving the health of children. It is a bit chilling to realize that even today, people are still suffering from typhoid. A very important reminder to always wash your hands! Second in a planned trilogy on deadly diseases.

Overall Book Score: excellent