Bram gunterstein was the son of a circus animal trainer. You might come away with a deeper appreciation for these glorious creatures. The simply astonishing, exhilarating storycomplete with high adventure, betrayal, and resurrectionof modoc, elephant extraordinaire, told by helfer the beauty of the beasts, 1990. True story of the greatest elephant that ever lived. It is a tale of love, loss, and the deep spiritual bond between a man and his extraordinary ninethousand pound companion. A true story of elephant compassion as seen by louis. Those who do not believe that these events happened are no believers of one of the greatest animal tales of all time and should not criticize some ones life. Modocs story, commonly known as the story of the greatest elephant that ever lived, tells of the friendship and love that existed between one of the most intelligent animals walking the earth and the man who fought to keep him. It took me a long time to read this book not because i wasnt into it, but because i kept wanting to postpone the inevitable sob fest that was even referenced in a blurb on the book s cover.
Bram and modoc are born on the same day and the same hour. Modoc the true story of the greatest elephant that ever. Modoc is a book written by american writer ralph helfer and published in 1998. 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 zookeepers wife or water for elephants. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived is the tale of a boy and his elephant coming of age and experiencing more in their lifetimes than most people can only dream of. It tells the story of a boy and an elephant and their fight to stay together across three continents. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived 1st harperperennial ed by ralph helfer isbn.
It would be a fun work of fiction, if that were its humble claim. The simply astonishing, exhilarating storycomplete with high adventure, betrayal, and resurrectionof modoc, elephant extraordinaire, told by heifer the beauty of the beasts, 1990. Jun 11, 2009 it is a tribute on the true story its on. This book is so exciting, unbelievable and heart warming it is now my favorite book. Touching, too, about the bond of love that can truly exist between humans and animals. Modoc was former circus elephant ralph helfer found for sale in the newspaper that he bought for only a thousand dollars for a new television series in 1961 called frontier circus 1961 from a private zoo in the hills of the ozark mountains. Within the elephant s life she would go through war, shootings, fires, and much more. Does the electronic version of the book completely replace the paper version. Steph i know this is an old question, but for anyone else wondering i say its not appropriate for sensitive kids under. Although this is easy to readmore i know this is an old question, but for anyone else wondering i say its not appropriate for sensitive kids under. At 50 years of age i have read alot of animal stories. Well, folks, im just finishing ralph helfers modoc. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived pdf epub book.
And the true story of an amazing elephant and his lifelong friendship with a trainer. The book is filled with unbelievable love, caring, and devotion between bram and modoc. Within the elephants life she would go through war, shootings, fires, and much more. This detailed study guide includes chapter summaries and analysis, important themes, significant quotes, and more everything you need to ace your essay or test on modoc. Modoc the true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived. Read the book on paper it is quite a powerful experience.
Modoc is described as a black stalliontype love story between a man and an animal with elements reminiscent of forrest gump. Modoc ralph helfer paperback harpercollins publishers. A nice companion to modoc is the worlds greatest elephant, again, by ralph helfer. Modoc was sold behind brams back and vanished for more than 20 years. The story of modoc the elephant on november 11, 1942, the great american circus prepared itself to stage an armistice day fundraiser for the sixth year at wabash high school, but no one present could possibly predict the wacky and legendary events about to unfold that afternoon and the days ahead. They were born on the same day, a hundred years back, in a black forest village. The large picture book format is the typical choice for lewins fine watercolors, boldly portraying the dramatic episodes of the elephants life and the story of friendship, separation, and reunion. Bram was the son of a local elephant handler, and even as a child he showed signs of becoming a master handler. Modoc the true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived well, son, this was no ordinary elephant. Modoc the true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived ralph helfer on. Although this is easy to read and a sweet love story between a boy and his elephant spanning their lifetimes.
A unique relationship between an elephant and man is related in this captivating tale from hollywood animal trainer helfer the beauty of the beasts. The greatest elephant story ever told, lovingly recreated by modoc s owner during the last twenty years of her seventyeightyear life, modoc spans eight decades and three continents. Raised together in a small german circus town, a boy and an elephant formed a. A captivating true story of loyalty, friendship, and high adventure that s. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived by ralph helfer online at alibris. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived topics for discussion ralph helfer this study guide consists of approximately 33 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of modoc. Modoc is the joint biography of a man and an elephant born in a small german circus town on the same day in 1896. I cannot imagine or think of a humananimal relationship that even comes close to what they had. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived by ralph helfer. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 352 pages and is available in paperback format. The true story of the worlds greatest elephant, by. Modoc the elephant and bram the son of the elephant trainer at the provincial circus, wunderzirkus, in germany are born within the same hour on the same day, over 100 years ago. A captivating true story of loyalty, friendship, and high adventure that spans several decades and three continents, modoc is one of the most remarkable stories ever told, perfect for fans of the zookeepers wife or water for elephants. It tells the story of a boy and an elephant and their fight to stay together across.
It is said that one in every ten thousand elephants is special. The worlds greatest elephant by ralph helfer, ted lewin. Modoc is an epic for the ages, destined to be a classic, and sure to be cherished by readers young and old. Once in a while, a book comes along to prove that wonderful friendships can occur between the animal kingdom and mankind. Best of all, if after reading an e book, you buy a paper version of modoc.
Both modoc and bram are injured, modoc seriously, but they both pull through and find themselves attached to the circus in the united states. Mar 05, 2004 modoc is described as a black stalliontype love story between a man and an animal with elements reminiscent of forrest gump. 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. Modoc is probably the most unusual pet book i have ever read. The book shows a number of photos of a big, beautiful elephants performing in the spotlights at madison square garden, this is big modoc. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived. The boy was named bram, the elephant was named modoc. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived by ralph helfer 325 pages the story of modoc is definitely an impressive one. The baby weighs in at less than 5kg, and the baby elephant astronomically more. The author is a famous animal trainer, ralph helfer, who leads us through the lives of bram and modoc. Modoc grew impressively beyond anyones imaginationexceptional intelligence, massive size, and a gentleness surpassing that of even the kindest elephants. He was born on his fathers farm and, at the same time, an elephant to be named modoc was born in the farms barn. On a quiet morning in 1896, in a small german circus town, a boy and an elephant were born. Bram was the son of an elephant trainer, modoc the daughter of his prize performer.
Bram gunterstein, son of a circus animal trainer, and modoc, an indian elephant headed for bigtop life with the. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived from the worlds largest community of readers. Unlikely helfer ever set eyes on this elephant unless he bought a ticket to the show. Modoc the true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived helfer, ralph on. What followed was a heartwrenching, astonishing series of events that will have all who read this unforgettable book riveted to every page, utterly in love with modoc, the greatest elephant that ever lived.
Does anyone know any of the movies that this incredible elephant was in. The greatest elephant story ever told, lovingly recreated by modocs owner during the last twenty years of her seventyeightyear life, modoc spans eight decades and three continents. According to the book jacket, the author owned modoc for the last 20 years of her life. It tells the joint biography of a man, bram, and his elephant. Used books may not include companion materials, may have some shelf wear, may contain highlightingnotes.
Though at time life is tragic, bram gunterstein and modoc, his elephant triumph over every bit of adversity. Modoc the true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived book. The first edition of the novel was published in september 9th 1997, and was written by ralph helfer. A big tickle grin spread across brams face, modoc did her elephant chirp, a tear glistened as it ran down katrinas face. Modoc tells the story of bram, a german boy, and his elephant, modoc. Since helfer advertises it as a true story i noticed some inconsistencies and odd facts when i read the book. The greatest elephant story ever told, lovingly recreated by modocs owner during the last twenty years of her seventyeightyear life, modoc spans eight. The true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived ralph d. Modoc the true story of the greatest elephant that. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Bram gunterstein, son of a circus animal trainer, and modoc, an indian elephant headed for bigtop life with the wunderzircus. Once i started this incomparable story, i couldnt put it down, and i cannot get it out of my mindnor will i ever. Bram was the son of an elephant trainer, modoc the.
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