Necropolis

Set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century New Orleans, "Necropolis" explores how yellow fever epidemics shaped social hierarchies, with immunity—termed "immunocapital"—becoming a form of social and economic leverage. While white survivors gained opportunities through their immunity, enslaved Black individuals faced a different reality, with their acquired immunity mainly serving their owners' interests. The book highlights the intertwined nature of health, race, and politics in shaping a society that equated perceived biological resilience with personal value and social status.