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

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Summary: A surprisingly wonderful story.
Review: This book was a surprise. Knowing it is true makes it very powerful. I have a whole new respect for elephants - in fact, I'd like to have one as a pet! This story shows the incredibly close relationship between an elephant and the owner she grew up with. Their adventures are amazing. I loved it!

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Summary: An animal lover's dream!
Review: As one of the previous reviewers stated, I thank Ralph Helfer for giving us the gift of Modoc's story and I thank God for giving us the pleasure of his creatures. Like another reviewer, the cover caught my eye while browsing in a bookstore. After reading the inside flap, I knew I had to read this one! Often with books and movies about animals, I wasn't sure I could finish the book if it became upsetting. It does evoke strong emotional responses; alas, I absolutely could not put it down. Several reviewers commented on the difficult writing style of Mr. Helfer, but I did not find it so; possibly because the story is so engrossing. After I finished, I told my husband that anyone, after reading this story, had to believe animals will be in Heaven. I have recommended this story to the members of our local book club, two read it and said they liked it greatly. Also, I make a point to recommend to anyone I talk with who likes to read; they must read Modoc.

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Summary: A beautiful and touching journey of a boy and his beast.
Review: This book is a wonderful tale of a boy and his special elephant. The story is truly touching and magical and will take you on many adventures. You will never look at Elephants the same after reading it. It is especially for animal lovers.

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Summary: Great For All Ages.
Review: Modoc is a heartwarming story of friendship, survival and hope. It also is a true story that would prove a challenge if it were made into a motion picture. I recommend this book to your spouse, friends, even your children.

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Summary: This book should be required reading!!!
Review: In my 25 years as a reader and writer, his is one of the best stories I have ever read. Although the writing could be improved, the author has done an admirable job of bringing this deeply moving story to the world. By my estimate Helfer waited approximately 20 years after the deaths of Bram and Modoc to tell this story. Why did he wait so long? This story deserves to made into a major motion picture.

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Summary: totally new view of elephants!
Review: I read this book at one sitting, and like other reviewers, was sobbing at the end! Awkwardly written in some ways, it simply enhances the genuine feelings that Modoc and Bram had for each other. I would recommend this book to any person who wonders if animals can love, and I find it more difficult than ever to watch people dealing .with animals in that superior, cavalier manner humans are famous for. I recommend this book highly. Here is a book that makes the reader think, feel, and long after finishing the book, it still remains in the mind. This one covered all the bases!

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Summary: MODOC is an inspiration for all that love animals.
Review: I thank Ralph Helfer for writing this amazing book. I am an extremely critical reader, but fell into the depth of this multi-tiered love story with abandon. I found myself sobbing at the end and wishing I could have met MODOC, who must be one of the most gifted and loving animals to ever walk the face of the earth. I wonder why this book hasn't surfaced on the New York Times best seller list yet-perhaps the publisher hasn't promoted it enough. But, I predict it will, eventually. I intend to purchase several copies of it to give out at Christmas and Chanukah this year. I urge you to spend the $16.10 for this book-what a tiny price to pay for an experience you will never forget. You will want to own this and keep it in your library forever.

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Summary: a love story and an inspiration
Review: i bought this book in a physical bookstore on an impulse because of the cover photograph, a back view of an elephant sitting on a stool with a child sitting next to it, its arm around a tiny part of the elephant's huge waist. the book is really badly written, the language so clumsy, but by the first few pages the fact that the author loves elephants is clear, and by somewhere in the middle, it's clear that he loved this particular elephant and wanted to tell her story and that of her original trainer. by the end, we are experiencing a great love, and the author has told the story of the smart, heroic, kind, patient MODOC, the golden elephant, who suffered many hardships and the cruelty of men with great dignity, became a great star in the circus, and taught her trainers much. there are vivid descriptions of elephants being trained, working in the teak forest, fighting in battle, committing suicide, and passing moments of domestic tranquility, but the real story is emotional and even spritual. i want to trumpet and belly-rumble my approval.

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Summary: Amazing !
Review: I've never read anything like this before. I was so captivated by the scope of the story, but the fact that it is true was all the more amazing. I found myself sobbing by the end. If the reader is not brought to tears in the last 50 pages at least once - they should be checked for a heart beat. I what everybody that I've ever met to read this book. Let's hope that Ralph is writing the sceenplay and holds on to it till the right people come along so Disney won't get their hands on it. Please read this book.

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Summary: Best show & Elephant on earth - Best book on earth
Review: "Modoc is a love story, a gut wrenching saturday afternoon kind of love story that should not be attempted without a full box if tissues within easy reach."- Detroit free press This quote is on the front cover of Modoc and is definetly true. Modoc is the best yet saddest book i have ever read. i have read a lot of books and Modoc is the only one in which i have actually cried in. This book doesn't even have to be for animal lovers to like. Modoc shows how close animals and people really are and how smart animals really can be. Modoc is a story of a boy named Bram and his elephant Modoc and the journeys he and the boy have together. some sad, some exciting, and some just plain fun. i reccomend this book to anybody of any age i am only 11 years old and still truly enjoyed this book. It is truly the best book i have ever read.