Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived 
asked by caramel on November 9, 2006 10:56 PM
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
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One of the most heart wrenching love stories between a human and an animal I have ever read. Couldn't put it down and have a whole different outlook on elephants now-really quite gentle loyal beasts.
reviewed by siriusfanboy on November 25, 2006 10:38 PM
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Before there was Dumbo, before but not quite before there was Toomai of the Elephants, there was Modoc and there was Bram, the boy who loved her. Boy and elephant, born on the same day, in the same hour, two souls intertwined throughout a lifetime.
This true story starts out in Germany, but soon travels the world. More adventures than you can count, a fearsome storm and shipwreck that rival (or maybe inspired) Life of Pi, life with princes in India, not to mention the legendary Mahout elephant trainers in the teak forests, a white elephant spiritual guide, circus time, love, loyalty...it's got it all! Bram and Modoc certainly seem to be soul mates of a sort, though Bram was lucky enough to find women who understood his love for an elephant as well as good and true friends in his lifetime. I loved the way Bram developed his on personal philosophy/spirituality that combined what he knew and what he learned from the elephant and mahouts.
Ralph Helfer's style is a little stilted, but serves him well enough. He is best known as the Hollywood animal trainer who was one of the first to use affection and kindness to train the wild animals we see in movies and on TC. (Clarence the Cross_Eyed Lion is one of his most famous friends.)
I'd actually rate this one 3.5 stars (mostly because of my reaction to the writing style), but couldn't figure out how to get the system to do that.
This true story starts out in Germany, but soon travels the world. More adventures than you can count, a fearsome storm and shipwreck that rival (or maybe inspired) Life of Pi, life with princes in India, not to mention the legendary Mahout elephant trainers in the teak forests, a white elephant spiritual guide, circus time, love, loyalty...it's got it all! Bram and Modoc certainly seem to be soul mates of a sort, though Bram was lucky enough to find women who understood his love for an elephant as well as good and true friends in his lifetime. I loved the way Bram developed his on personal philosophy/spirituality that combined what he knew and what he learned from the elephant and mahouts.
Ralph Helfer's style is a little stilted, but serves him well enough. He is best known as the Hollywood animal trainer who was one of the first to use affection and kindness to train the wild animals we see in movies and on TC. (Clarence the Cross_Eyed Lion is one of his most famous friends.)
I'd actually rate this one 3.5 stars (mostly because of my reaction to the writing style), but couldn't figure out how to get the system to do that.
reviewed by wendi on November 29, 2006 2:55 PM
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This is by far one of the best animal stories I have read. It is moving, heart-felt, entertaining, touching and funny all at once.
Being a veterinay medicine, I have worked on many animals, but I would love to have had the privilege to have known Modoc.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about the animal-human bond.
Being a veterinay medicine, I have worked on many animals, but I would love to have had the privilege to have known Modoc.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about the animal-human bond.
reviewed by 78704 on November 29, 2006 4:14 PM
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I ordered 2 more copies of Modoc so I could pass it out to friends. I LOVED the book. It emcompassed the qualities that I hold most dear: love, compassion, commitment, loyalty, determination, understanding and perseverance. It engulfed for me - I couldn't put it down. And was glad no one was home as I finished it - I was sobbing. Many of my friends have read it - all liked it, only a few were as passionate as I was about the book.....but I would still highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
reviewed by ladyrunner on November 29, 2006 4:43 PM
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I knew nothing about elephants prior to reading this book. All I can say is I was touched very deeply by this story and have never read a book like this! It was incredible from start to finish and Bram and Modoc are surely in heaven together.
I so wish I could of known them! Thank you Mr. Helfer for writing this fabulous book.
I so wish I could of known them! Thank you Mr. Helfer for writing this fabulous book.
reviewed by onthemic on November 29, 2006 6:04 PM