In Bite, Bill Schutt makes a surprising It is teeth that are responsible for the long-term success of vertebrates, those creatures who have a backbone, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, dinosaurs, mammals – and us. An evolutionary zoologist at the American Museum of Natural History, Schutt knows a thing or two about evolution and he tells this tale of teeth and their importance with his usual combination of hard science, fascinating trivia, and his signature witty delivery.
The appearance of teeth, roughly half a billion years ago, was an adaptation that allowed myriad forms of vertebrates to chow down in pretty much every conceivable environment – from sun-torched deserts to rainforests teeming with thousands of species of animals and plants. From an evolutionary standpoint, species with teeth could eat things that potential competitors couldn't. For example, Neanderthals and early modern humans used their teeth as tools, to soften tough fibres and animal hides, and vampire bats use their razor-sharp teeth to feed on a widespread but generally untappable blood. And it's not just food – or blood. Teeth, which include tusks and fangs, played – and still play – a crucial role as defensive weapons. Glimpsing the upper canines of snarling dogs or baboons is all it takes to know that teeth are an efficient means of expressing strength, dominance, and aggression, while human teeth project information about social status and moral character. It's doubtful, for instance, that George Washington would have been elected if he didn't have false teeth.
Bite is popular science at its best, filled not just with fun facts, but also with vital and illuminating context. As Schutt explains, so much of what we know about evolution on this planet has come from the study of fossilized teeth, which have provided information not only about ancient diets and health but, famine, war, disease, and starvation – which in turn might help us through our current climate crisis.
Bill Schutt is a vertebrate zoologist and author of six nonfiction and fiction books, including Pump: A Natural History of the Heart and the New York Times Editor's Choice, Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History. Recently retired from his post as professor of biology at LIU Post, he is a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History, where he has studied bats all over the world. His research has been featured in Natural History magazine as well as in the New York Times, Newsday, the Economist, and Discover.
– Named a Best/Most Anticipated Book of the Season/Year by Amazon Book Review, the Next Big Idea Club, and Parade
"Bill Schutt's Bite is informative, at times amusing, and exhaustive, offering everything you ever hoped to know about teeth, and then some."
– East Hampton Star
"A treasure trove of tooth-related facts and trivia. [...] a terrific airplane or beach read for the nonfiction set. Fascinating and intensely niche, Bite is excellent popular science perfect for readers who've enjoyed Schutt's previous work and fans of authors such as Mary Roach. Bite is fun, accessible, and informative."
– Shelf Awareness
"In his latest book, Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, Bill Schutt combines humor and scientific insight to delve into the fascinating world of dental evolution, from vampire bats to human practices."
– Ithaca Times
"Bite doesn't disappoint [...] the book's unpredictable structure [...] perfectly reflects its subject."
– Wall Street Journal
"Engrossing [...] seriously fun [...] arresting [...] zoologist Bill Schutt's Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, from Hagfish to Humans [is] an engaging trans-species chronicle of teeth."
– New Scientist
"I can't wait to read Bite, a look at teeth throughout the ages and the animal kingdom. Zoologist Bill Schutt [...] gives an engaging account of the role teeth played both in nature and culture. I'm going to read it as soon as I finish flossing."
– Michael Giltz, Parade, "Best New Book Releases This Week"
"Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, from Hagfish to Humans might have a daunting title, but Bill Schutt has managed to make the topic interesting as well as digestible [...] Schutt presents to readers a smart, highly technical book that thoroughly explores his title subject in an approachable way."
– Book Junkie
"Readers who've never considered the mouths of unfamiliar beings will be surprised at what they learn, and delighted at the tiny drops of knowledge to be had here. You'll cringe, you'll be amazed, and you'll feel like a real scientist because the information is easy to understand."
– Bookworm Sez
"A zoologist and author makes an unlikely subject – teeth – fascinating in this book you may want to devour in one sitting [...] You'll love reading the examples of the ways different species, from dinosaurs to prehistoric humans to vampire bats, have used their teeth to survive and thrive in the world."
– BookBub
"Lively [...] wide-ranging [...] [with] an enthusiasm that's infectious [...] Schutt calls teeth 'time capsules, ' and aptly so. Crack one open, and anything and everything, from the silly to the sublime, can tumble out. Even the stories of less exotic teeth provide fascinating insight into evolutionary history."
– New York Times Book Review
"Zoologist Schutt (Pump: A Natural History of the Heart, 2021) enthusiastically and wryly polishes the profile of dentition, including fangs and tusks [...] Plenty of interesting material for readers to sink their teeth into."
– Booklist
"Bill Schutt does an excellent job unveiling fascinating insights into how teeth can establish dominance, explain evolution, and even improve our mental health. Plenty to chew on."
– Amazon Blog
"Wide ranging, accessible, and fascinating."
– Arlington Magazine
"Another tightly focused book to chew on"
– AARP
"Schutt's tone is dryly funny, and his conversational prose reads as if an erudite friend were explaining their life's passion over drinks. Pop science aficionados will want to sink their teeth into this."
– Publishers Weekly
"A lively, deeply informed investigation of the origin, development, and significance of teeth [...] Schutt's purview is wide ranging and his curiosity insatiable [...] A fascinating romp through evolutionary history."
– Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Who knew hagfish could be so interesting? Bite ranges across millions of years of evolution as Schutt explores the surprising importance of these stony nuggets inhabiting the mouths of animals. His writing is a mélange of science, history, and humor, as delightful to read as it is informative. Including a cast of quirky scientists as well as sharks, narwals and even George Washington, Schutt makes it all very accessible."
– Darrin Lunde, author of The Naturalist
"Bite is a comprehensive jaunt through comparative biology, history, and popular culture regarding those critical itty bits. Worth sinking your teeth into."
– Roy A. Meals, MD, author of Bones and Muscle