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Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived
Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived
Author: Ralph Helfer
Publisher: HarperCollins
Category: Book

List Price: $23.00
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Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 132 reviews
Sales Rank: 132612

Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 6.8 x 1.3

ISBN: 0060182571
Dewey Decimal Number: 791.320929
EAN: 9780060182571
ASIN: 0060182571

Publication Date: October 1, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Also Available In:

  • Hardcover - Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived
  • Kindle Edition - Modoc
  • Paperback - Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Modoc is the joint biography of a man and an elephant born in a small German circus town on the same day in 1896. Bram was the son of an elephant trainer, Modoc the daughter of his prize performer. The boy and animal grew up devoted to each other. When the Wunderzircus was sold to an American, with no provision to take along the human staff, Bram stowed away on the ship to prevent being separated from his beloved Modoc. A shipwreck off the Indian coast and a sojourn with a maharajah were only the beginning of the pair's incredible adventures. They battled bandits, armed revolutionaries, cruel animal trainers, and greedy circus owners in their quest to stay together. They triumphed against the odds and thrilled American circus audiences with Modoc's dazzling solo performances, only to be torn apart with brutal suddenness, seemingly never to meet again. Hollywood animal trainer Ralph Helfer rescued Modoc from ill-treatment and learned her astonishing story when Bram rediscovered her at Helfer's company. His emotional retelling of this true-life adventure epic will make pulses race and bring tears to readers' eyes. --Wendy Smith

Book Description
On a quiet morning in 1896, in a small German circus town, a boy and an elephant were born. The boy was named Bram, the elephant was named Modoc. Bram was the son of a local elephant handler, and even as a child he showed signs of becoming a master handler. Modoc grew impressively beyond anyone's imagination--exceptional intelligence, massive size, and a gentleness surpassing that of even the kindest elephants. The two were raised as siblings, and when news came that the circus was being sold, thirteen-year-old Bram did the only thing he could imagine: He stowed away to be with Modoc.

Weeks into their voyage to the United States, they were caught in a catastrophic storm at sea, and Modoc single-handedly saved the lives of Bram and thirty sailors. Taken to shore in India, Modoc and Bram were heroes to the elephant-loving Indian people. Their unexpected detour lasted many years, as Bram studied under the legendary mahout elephant trainers of the Far East while Modoc--fully grown and with Bram at her side--became a master harvester in the remote teak forests of rural India.

In the 1930s they finally arrived in New York, where for the next two decades Modoc rose to great performing fame in the center ring of the world's most popular circus. Known as "The Golden Elephant," she was the only elephant of her time who could dance and perform without a trainer. Modoc was a major American celebrity.

Then a tragedy stuck, and the lives of Modoc and Bram were forever changed. On a routine stopover between circus towns, Modoc vanished from under Bram's protective watch. Weeks of searching turned into years, but he never lost hope that he would see Modoc again...

Modoc is an epic for the ages, destined to be a classic, and sure to be cherished by readers young and old.

The Greatest elephant story ever told, lovingly recreated by Modoc's owner during the last twenty years of her seventy-eight-year life, Modoc spans eight decades and three continents. It is a tale of love, loss, and the deep spiritual bond between a man and his extraordinary nine-thousand pound companion.




Customer Reviews:   Read 127 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars Modoc   August 21, 2008
I discovered this book by accident and must say it was such a pleasant surprise. The story catches you from page one and takes you on an unbelievable journey with Bram and Modoc. I found myself sobbing when I read the chapter on the two of them being separated and the cruel treatment Modoc underwent. Their love for each other was overwhelming. Whether the book has elements of truth in it or not, it doesn't matter. Anyone who has been touched by an animal with find themselves falling in love with Modoc. What a magnificent animal and what a lovely story.


5 out of 5 stars Incredible!   August 15, 2008
This is a fantastic book and stands as the only book outside of Murakami's Hard-Boiled Wonderland and McCarthy's The Road that I've actually felt compelled to buy and give to others. I read the book solely because it too was pushed my way by someone urging me to read it despite it not being my typical cup of tea. The story was fantastic and every bit the tear-jerker you've read about elsewhere. A triumph of spirit and the bond that can be built between man and animal. I cried like a blubbering baby in my backyard while turning the pages of this book - and have enjoyed inflicting the same upon others. It's really, really good - and not just for animal lovers. Beats the heck out of stinker Life Of Pi too.


4 out of 5 stars Very sweet story even if it's not all true ;)   July 16, 2008
I love true animal stories and this one came highly recommended by one of my reading friends. I know I would have enjoyed it much more if I could've read it without distractions but quiet time is impossible to come by in my house.

This story is supposedly a true story about an elephant and a boy who grow up together but some of the adventures truly require a big gulp of suspension of disbelief. I'm thinking the author exagerrated a wee bit to embellish his story but maybe that's just me . . . Despite that, it's a very heartwarming tale about the bond that can develop between man and elephant.



5 out of 5 stars Thank you!!! This book was great!   June 19, 2008
Thank you for sending this....it was a great read, and it came in good condition!


5 out of 5 stars Modoc   June 15, 2008
Great story! I wasn't sure I really wanted to read this book. I thought about this story many times after having completed the book and am so glad I did read this!

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