Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

by Ralph Helfer

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060182571
• ISBN13: 9780060182571
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Heartwarming Story

I quiet enjoyed this book. It's about a man and his elephant and the crazy stuff they go through together. It's really sweet and heartwarming.

Interesting read - but not a true story

Good story for a disney cartoon or something. No dates or actual locations cited. All kinds of inconsistencies that should clue one in that it is just a nice work of fiction. I did like it though.

Best story I've ever read.

My life hasn't been the same since I read this book. I think this is a book that every animal lover NEEDS to read.

Judging a book by the cover

I picked up the book because of the cover, a boy sitting withan elephant with his arm around it.Little did I know I was aboutto embark on a journey to Germany, England, and India. "MODOC", a story that spands seventy-eight years of a boy and his love for an elephant, who sacrifice family and friends to be together. Their true story of a rescue at sea, fighting off bandits in the forest, and a guerrilla war are only a few of their adventures. I could not put the book down till I was finshed..."MODOC" THE TRUE STORY OF THE GREATEST ELEPHANT THAT EVER LIVED. Would make a great movie...

Modoc

This book is one not to be overlooked. It is a tale of love, passion and trust. Modoc and Bram are the same age and are the best of friends. This is one of te best books I have EVER read. There is sadness, happieness, strenth, disapointment and a strong sense of willpower. READ THIS BOOK!!!

Modoc: True Story of the Greatest Elephant that Ever Lived

My life will never be the same after having read this book! I find myself thinking of all the perils and hardships and suffering both the elephant and man went through. Ralph Helfer is to be praised for bringing this story to life. As an animal lover, I relate totally to the love and attachment of the boy/man and the elephant. I, too, believe that the "cross over"/heaven will include our beloved animals. I cried my eyes out when Modoc was saved after abuse and when she and Bram were reunited for the rest of their lives. Everyone should read this book - it is unbelievable, the best book I have ever read in 51 years!

Modoc,The greatest book I've ever read!

I think Modoc is a loving story of love, determination, and unity, where two spirits join to one. A boy and a elephant, who would rather die than live without eachother.I love this book!

Wonderful Story of Pachyderm Devotion

It's been a while since a book produced the sort of emotive response, upon completion, that Modoc did. The last few chapters were the ones that caught me feeling pain and pathos for the great elephant, and a smiling appreciation of her love for her trainer. This sweeping epic tells the story of a boy and his female elephant, inseparable from their dual births on the same day in turn of the century Germany. Born to the circus, Modoc and Bram forge a career of adventures as they travel the world experiencing metaphysical lessons in life and love. These lessons are taught through their interactions with Bram's two great [human] loves, the bigoted and megalomaniacal circus owner, ship and circus mates, and Indian leaders, spiritual and temporal. It is billed as a love story first, adventure second, and it is plain to see the special, almost supernatural bond the elephant and the trainer hold as they both age well into their 70's. This novel gives one pause thinking about our own interactions with animals, and pets. I chuckled to think of how things would be different if my Siamese cat were suddenly 10 feet tall and 3 tons. Playtime would take on a slightly different dynamic. Yet Modoc was always gentle and a constant lifesaver to Bram, aware of her immense power and always desirous of his happiness. It was also interesting to see that the author Ralph Helfer, was also the same Ralph in the story who found Modoc and employed Bram and her for the last 20 years of their lives. I'm not sure what the target audience age was but it proceeds easily and swiftly, and reminded me of the Black Stallion books I read back in 7th grade. Ultimately a feel-good, slightly embellished, true story that is recommended reading.