Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, from Hagfish to Humans

Zoologist Schutt (Cannibalism) looks into human and animal evolution by examining the emergence of teeth about half a billion years ago. The account starts with sea life and progresses to modern dentistry, with listeners given an in-depth yet concise history of the importance of teeth. Charles Constant narrates this lighthearted and informative nonfiction in a way that highlights surprises in the evolutionary process, where teeth are necessary to reach the top. Covering everything from elephant tusks used for protection to the small teeth of bats and the history of George Washington’s wooden teeth, Schutt deftly weaves together the many ways in which life on Earth uses pearly whites to survive. The author not only takes a look at the history of modern dentistry but also at the possibilities that science has created for the practice’s future. There is a lot of information here, but it is presented in a way that is easy to follow and, at times, funny.