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

"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 an unforgettable piece of historical narrative and 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 forge an unbreakable human-animal bond that will 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."

But how did their incredible bond survive a world determined to tear them apart?

• An Epic Journey: From a small German circus town, through the teak forests of India, to the dazzling spotlight of 1940s New York City, their story spans decades and continents.
• A True Story of Survival: After a near-fatal shipwreck in the Indian Ocean separates them from everything they’ve ever known, a boy and an elephant must rely on each other to survive.
• Unbreakable Friendship: Born on the same day, Bram and Modoc share a connection that defies boundaries, proving that the bond between a person and an animal can be the greatest love story of all.
• For Animal Lovers: Perfect for fans of Water for Elephants and The Zookeeper’s Wife, this incredible story championed by Betty White will capture the heart of any reader who believes in the powerful connection between humans and animals.

Ralph Helfer is a well-known Hollywood animal trainer who was one of the first to use affection and kindness to train wild animals. He is the author of The Beauty of the Beasts, and he lives in Los Angeles and Kenya, where he leads safari tours.