Anita Sanchez was born in Boston, MA, and grew up in Cape Ann, MA, and upstate New York. She received her BA from Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, in 1977, one of the first to major in the new field of ecology and conservation. A life-long fascination with American history led to her two previous books. In researching The Teeth of the Lion, she was impressed by the Shakers, who at one time were the leading producers of herbal medicines in America. Dandelions were a crop the Shakers planted and harvested extensively, since they were well aware of its medicinal benefits. Their dandelion extract was a popular and effective liver tonic.

"The Civil War struck America's Shaker communities with all the violence of a hurricane. Through the dramatic story of two worlds in collision, author Anita Sanchez gives illuminating insights into the nature of each. As she unfolds the story of the Shakers' quest to spur President Abraham Lincoln to grant them conscientious objector status, the reader realises how critically important to our nation is the legacy of a people who are too often dismissed as merely being the makers of nice chairs. Vivid and beautifully written, this book is a wonderful introduction to the history, faith, culture, and heritage of the Shakers, who have been interacting with and quietly influencing the mainstream culture of the United States for over 230 years while most Americans were unaware it was even happening." -- Darryl Thompson, Shaker historian and historical interpreter