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Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived
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Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived Paperback - 1998

by Ralph Helfer

Spanning seven decades and three continents, this sweeping saga follows the life and times of a remarkable elephant and her faithful companion and trainer. Ralph Helfer, founder of Eden International, owned Modoc for the last 20 years of her life and witnessed the joyous reunion of the elephant and her trainer. Photos.


Summary

Spanning several decades and three continents, Modoc is one of the most amazing true animal stories ever told. Raised together in a small German circus town, a boy and an elephant formed a bond that would last their entire lives, and would be tested time and again; through a near-fatal shipwreck in the Indian Ocean, an apprenticeship with the legendary Mahout elephant trainers in the Indian teak forests, and their eventual rise to circus stardom in 1940s New York City. Modoc is a captivating true story of loyalty, friendship, and high adventure, to be treasured by animal lovers everywhere.

From the publisher

"Once I started this incomparable story, I couldn't put it down, and I cannot get it out of my mind--nor will I ever. The message of what can be accomplished by training through affection and joy will thrill all animal lovers." --Betty White

A captivating true story of loyalty, friendship, and high adventure that spans several decades and three continents, Modoc is one of the most remarkable true stories ever told, perfect for fans of The Zookeeper's Wife or Water for Elephants.

Raised together in a small German circus town, a boy and an elephant formed a bond that would last their entire lives, and would be tested time and again: through a near-fatal shipwreck in the Indian Ocean, an apprenticeship with the legendary Mahout elephant trainers in the Indian teak forests, and their eventual rise to circus stardom in 1940s New York City. As the African Sun-Times put it, Modoc is "heartwarming. . . probably the greatest love story ever told."

First line

ON A GRAY, FOGGY MORNING THEY CAME, rising on the cold north winds from the icy peaks, sweeping across the timberland into the gray, misty valleys of the Black Forest...baby sounds!

From the rear cover

Spanning seven decades and three continents, Modoc is one of the most amazing true animal stories ever told. Raised together in a small German circus town, a boy and an elephant formed a bond that would last their entire lives, and would be tested time and again; through a near-fatal shipwreck in the Indian Ocean, an apprenticeship with the legendary Mahout elephant trainers in the Indian teak forests, and their eventual rise to circus stardom in 1940s New York City. Modoc is a captivating true story of loyalty, friendship, and high adventure, to be treasured by animal lovers everywhere.

Details

  • Title Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived
  • Author Ralph Helfer
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Later Printing
  • Pages 352
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Harper Perennial, New York
  • Date 1998-08-26
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Illustrated
  • ISBN 9780060929510 / 0060929510
  • Weight 0.57 lbs (0.26 kg)
  • Dimensions 8 x 5.34 x 0.84 in (20.32 x 13.56 x 2.13 cm)
  • Ages 12 to 17 years
  • Grade levels 7 - 12
  • Library of Congress subjects Modoc (Elephant), Circus animals
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 97020905
  • Dewey Decimal Code 791.320
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Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived
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Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

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

by Ralph Helfer

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