The Secrets of the M*A*S*H Mess: The Lost Recipes of Private Igor

by Jeff Maxwell

This memory book and cookbook is by the actor who for nine years played Private Igor, the beleaguered cook of the M*A*S*H 4077th in the hit television series. It is a zesty blend of delicious and tasty recipes, memorable dialogue from the shows, photographs, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

Genres: Cookbooks

290 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Bookreader1972 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars Enjoyable read with some good sounding recipes. I checked out a copy from my library but will try at some point to purchase a used copy somewhere, so I have these recipes on hand. As of now, all used copies on Amazon are prices mush higher than I am willing to pay.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of the TV series I was keen to get my hands on this book. The author strikes the perfect balance between behind-the-scenes anecdotes and recipies inspired by the TV series.

[Graceann · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the many, many things that I love about M*A*S*H is that there is a contingent of characters who appear often enough to be part of the ensemble, but they aren't in *every* episode. They just pop up often enough to be fun. Jeff Maxwell, who played Igor the beleaguered and none-too-bright private who was always on KP, was just such a character.

The conceit of Secrets of the M*A*S*H mess is that Igor has ideas for great recipes, but is forced to serve nasty food that everyone dislikes, because that's the Army way. Mixed in are great recipes for things he'd like to be making, all with quirky names that reflect locations, people and plots in the show (panmunjombalaya, anyone?)

At the back of the book, Jeff Maxwell devotes several pages to his own work experience leading up to and including M*A*S*H. He's funny, and interesting, and all the things you would hope that the sweet-faced guy who played Igor would be. I would have liked to have read even more of that, and was disappointed that this section was so short.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owning the whole series M*A*S*H on dvd and the book the film and later the series was based on, I just had to get this book as well. And it didn't disappoint. It adds so much to the whole series, back stories, inside stories. Letters from Private Igor to his family. And of course recipes. I have yet to try them, but one day it will be Spam Lamb for Christmas!