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Summary: everyone must read this one
Review: Just finished this and even though I agree with most of the other reviews, I can't help but add my additional enthusiasm. I think this is one of my all-time favorites. Beautiful, magical, spiritual, moving. There's something for everyone here.
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Summary: Odd combination of juvenile and adult style
Review: If you like elephants, you'll like this "true" story, but may be put off by some of its silly elements. The author thinks the sound of a calliope is "oom pah pah." Also that x-rays were available in a hospital in India...in 1912, and that WWI era biplanes carried machine guns...on their WINGS, among other anachronisms. If not for the sex and the violent episodes, it would be a great kid's book.
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Summary: A very entertaining book...
Review: Modoc is a very entertaining, interesting book. It's one of those books that, especially in the first half, not only engages the reader but draws you into the book, makes you feel what Bram and Modoc are feeling. The writing is as one comes to expect from a nonfiction work -- fairly straightforward, not a very high reading level, and quick moving.In fact, I am very skeptical about the truthfulness of this book. The author says in the preface that this book takes from fact as well as hearsay and tries to make it true, but some incidences seem that they've taken a step beyond hearsay, into the realm of legends and myths. My other complaint about this book is the presentation of time. The author didn't cite years or ages except once or twice, and I found it extremely difficult to tell how old Bram was, or what year or era the current part of the story was in. Still, it was if you are able to suspend disbelief, it is a very fun, enjoyable, and at times heart-wrending story which is almost ruined by the author's poem at the end. I'd recommend reading this one.
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Summary: wow
Review: This was a beatifully written story capturing many emotions with such incredible truth and clarity, you will not be able to put this remarkable book down.
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Summary: Modoc and Ralph Helfer: Two amazing individuals!
Review: The contnet of Modoc is just a sample of the emotional bond between man and animal that lives inside Ralph Helfer. His descriptions of the events of the life of Modoc are just a beginning of his wonderful journeys with our animal brothers and sisters. I can't wait for his next books on Zamba the Lion. I also hear that they will be making the life story of Modoc on film soon! Ralph Helfer's abilities with animal communication and affection training have led us all to the entrance of the understanding of the animal world of emotions.We are so grateful for his courage in pursuing his training methods in a world of animal "tamers". I recommend MODOC for the human race as mandatory reading to understand love, communication and simplicity, as the key ingredients to the survival of humanity.
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Summary: Introduced to me, introduced BY me
Review: My teacher read this book aloud to my class, at first I thought that this book was going to be boring and poorly written, because the begginning was very slow. After going through the book, I found that it was remarkable. It made me want to read more and more, and not stop at the end of the chapter. I thank my teacher for introducing this book to me because it is unbelievable! I reccomend this book for all ages!
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Summary: intriging
Review: I thought that that this book was very mind boggling with all the thing that go on in the story I deffenetly recomend this book to any one that is up to the challenge. From the farm barn where she was born to New York you enjoy sharing the life of Bram Gurstein and modoc alike. Ther is, however very big up`s and down`s in this story so I hope you like this book as much as I did. Thanks For you time
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Summary: A wonderful heartfelt story about an amazing animal.
Review: Modoc is an amazing story for people of all ages. It is a very easy story to read. I was able to finish it in one sitting but was unable to keep a dry eye throughout the book. If you can look past proper documentation, as this seems to be the book's greatest critisicm, you will truly enjoy a wonderful story. It will make you think differently about animals and their feelings.
Rating: 
Summary: Good story, but poorly written.
Review: I am surprised by the overly positive reviews. The dialog is bland and contrived. The author attempted to fictionalize entire scenes out of scant detail. I would really like to read a well researched, nonfiction biography of Gunterstein and Modoc. It is written with almost no sense of time. At the end of the book, I was entirely surprised to learn 78 years had transpired. How long were they in India? Were world events irrelevant? How did Gertie and Bram support themselves during their search for Modoc? How long did they search? So many questions and NO ANSWERS! I'm sure the North Circus has some history. Do Gertie and Bram have any progeny?
Rating:
Summary: Good...but where's the documentation?
Review: The story was great, and despite the somewhat labored(ok, amatuerish, but sweet)writing I really enjoyed it. Credibility and the claim of a true story is another issue entirely. For instance, Modoc is described as having tusks a foot long,but none of the photos in the book show the tusks. Did she have a tusk removal or did she have folding swiss army tusks? Certainly both of the characters existed, but the absence of dates, documentation and decent photographs (and please,a map!) make this book a work of creative fiction in my eyes.
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