How to Catch a Mole (Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature)

“An extraordinary book; I've read no other like it. Thank goodness Marc Hamer stopped killing moles and sat down to write.”
—Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus

At once a highly original memoir and an ode to the outdoors, this unexpected—and delightfully strange—book reveals, at its core, a rare vision of the natural world.

Kneeling in a muddy field, clutching something soft and blue-black, Marc Hamer vows he will stop trapping moles—forever. In this earnest, understated, and sublime work of nonfiction literature, the molecatcher shares what led him to this strange career: from sleeping among hedges as a homeless teen, to toiling on the railway, to weeding windswept gardens in Wales.

Hamer infuses his wanderings with radiant poetry and stark, simple observations on nature’s oft-ignored details. He also reveals how to catch a mole—a craft long kept secret by its masters—and burrows into the unusual lives of his muses.

Moles, we learn, are colorblind. Their blood holds unusual amounts of carbon dioxide. Their vast tunnel networks are intricate and deceptive. And, like Hamer, they work alone.

While major retailers like Amazon may carry How to Catch a Mole (Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.

We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.

Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of How to Catch a Mole (Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature).