Angeles Crest: A Memoir [Hardcover]

Michael Modzelewski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

At the starting line of The Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run, a reporter asked entrant Michael Modzelewski: "How long have you been training for this race?" "All my life," the runner replied without hesitation.

And it's an inspiring and entertaining life that Modzelewski describes in this memoir. Along with a 'timeline' description of what it's like to run 100 continuous miles through wild country, the author weaves in growing up in the value-laden Midwest; youthful rambles through Europe and the American West; and working as an adventure travel writer, seeking out the offbeat and unusual in exotic places around the world.

Angeles Crest is about Family: reuniting with an estranged brother as they run the ultramarathon together, supported by the love of a famous father.

Infused with a protective passion for Nature, the author describes the effects of varied landscapes upon the human psyche. There are many close encounters with wildlife, including alligators in the Everglades, elephants in Africa, pumas in Patagonia, and a transformative Dream-Bear that helps explain to Modzelewski his astonishing experiences with an Angel and Extraterrestrials.

Angeles Crest is a tour de force, showing a man not only tapping the depths of human potential by running 100 miles, but also in exploring the mysteries of the universe, the author finishes with answers for us all.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . .A beautiful book on many levels." -- Libby Riddles, author of Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win The Iditarod Tells Her Story

"...Each story is a gem, but strung together they approach Robert Prisig's classic ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE." -- TRAIL RUNNER MAGAZINE

"A winner! A very personal account of how, for a true runner, running and living are inseperable. . . -- ULTRARUNNING MAGAZINE

"An amazing account of maximizing human potential and exploring depths of spiritual understanding by running 100 miles through wild country. . ." -- CONTINENTAL MAGAZINE

"As Modzelewski reveals, running can transform one's life physically, emotionally and spiritually. . ." -- BOOKVIEWS.COM

"Modzelewski's link with spiritual reality, which is missing from modern civilization develops as he takes part in a mystical journey. . . " -- Lynn Butler, photographer of Imperiled Landscapes, Endangered Legends

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"Running and the paranormal experiences were directly connected. I may have had them if I was a non-runner, but long distance running is expansive, carrying the body, mind, spirit past measurable boundaries and self-imposed limits, creating a portal into all possibilities."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 261 pages
• Publisher: Adventures Unlimited; 1st edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966062590
• ISBN-13: 978-0966062595
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,710,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Modzelewski grew up in Cleveland, Ohio where his father played professional football with the Browns. He graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, and a minor in Journalism. On assignment with national publications and as a correspondent for Outdoor Life TV, Michael has visited over 30 countries, specializing in the subjects of wildlife and adventure travel. He is a roving correspondent for the national radio show: "The Good Life," reporting on his adventures all over the world. Michael is the author of ANGELES CREST, about ultramarathon running and metaphysics; NORTH THROUGH PARADISE, describing varied adventures in Alaska; and INSIDE PASSAGE: LIVING WITH KILLER WHALES, BALD EAGLES, AND KWAKIUTL INDIANS, based on his experiences living on a wilderness island in the Inside Passage to Alaska.

After living "date-less" on the island, upon returning to civilization, Michael was startled to find he was chosen Cosmopolitan Magazine's "Bachelor of The Month" and AlaskaMen Magazine's centerfold story. After receiving 5,000 letters from women around the world, he married one of the correspondents. Michael's latest book, WILD LIFE, is about his dating experiences.

Michael is an inspiring and entertaining speaker, with his presentations receiving rave reviews and standing ovations from international audiences. He was chosen "Speaker of the Year" by Sharing Ideas Magazine. Michael is a Guest Lecturer on cruise ships and has been featured on many national TV shows, including "A Closer Look with Faith Daniels," Bill Cosby's "You Bet Your Life," "The Dini Petty Show," and has twice been featured on Oprah. His action-packed life was dramatized in the New York City off-Broadway play, LIFEGAME.

When not traveling the world on assignment or researching his books, Michael enjoys exploring his two favorite places in the world: Tracy Arm Fjord in Alaska and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Africa. Michael is a mountain climber, ocean kayaker, and marathon runner -- having completed, to date, 71 races around the world.

Michael's writing has received many awards and accolades, including the following two statements: "Michael Modzelewski is the John Muir of our times. Like Muir, he provides quiet and reverential observance of nature and our own humanity, while interjecting riveting narratives of unanticipated death-defying adventures. His writing is visceral and poetic, alternately humorous and heart-rending, able to sweep the reader seamlessly into his world. I have spent happy hours with his writing." -- Amy Tan, author of THE JOY LUCK CLUB

"Shortly after Bill's grandfather was put in the hospital, I spent several long weeks in ICU with Grandpa fulfilling my promise not to leave him alone. When I ran out of things to reminisce about I began to read INSIDE PASSAGE to him. For over a week the doctors had been telling me that Grandpa was unaware of anything and incapable of any response. He responded to this book. He would open his eyes, sometimes reach over and take my hand and try to smile. I wouldn't trade those hours for anything. Grandpa died less than an hour after I finished reading him INSIDE PASSAGE. I know his last hours were spent sharing a great adventure, not dwelling on the pain or fear of dying. He slipped away with a squeeze of my arm and tears in his eyes. We buried him with a copy of INSIDE PASSAGE. What this book gave Grandpa and me will be cherished; and the author has made himself a member of this family forever."
-- A reader from Tulsa, Oklahoma

The author's website: www.MichaelModzelewski.com has won over 100 awards for content and design. TV interviews and Film excerpts featuring Michael can be viewed at: www.YouTube.com/AdventureM

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What do Women Really Want? A Man Like This!, May 3, 2000

By 

Monique (France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angeles Crest: A Memoir (Hardcover)

I am stunned! And exhausted and inspired and in love.... I just finished ANGELES CREST and it is the best book I've ever read, because: (1) Michael Modzelewski has the courage of a lion. (2) The sensitivity of a poet. (3) The energy of 10 men. (4) A deep understanding of the feminine gender. The book works so wonderfully on so many levels at once: physically, intellectually, spiritually. It's an old-fashioned Quest with the final Prize the hardest things in this Life to find: Self-Knowledge and Universal Harmony. Not only does Michael take us over a 100 mile wilderness distance, but even farther within. Should be required reading for every human being, for the author is truly a 'Man' among Men who has answered many of the Mysteries this life places in our Path.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Complete Masterpiece, April 20, 2001

By 

darren brown (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angeles Crest: A Memoir (Hardcover)

Michael Modzelewski makes it clear from the start of this wonderful book that it is not limited to running (e.g.) a literary invocation quote from W.H. Auden: "The camera's eye does not lie, but it cannot show the life within the life of a runner." And what a life he's led and what a writer this man is! I've worked in publishing for 15 years and he's as great a descriptive writer as I've ever read. And his life and running are interwoven perfectly here, not only in the book's form of switching back-and-forth from running action to memory passages, but also metaphorically: by improving his life and overcoming tough challenges (willingly giving up a 'free-ride,' a college football scholarship to surviving killer malaria in Africa) the author steadily makes himself into a better runner. What I liked best is the overall tone of humility, self-depricating humor and the excellent relationship between Michael and his Dad. Unlike most kids with a famous father, instead of trying to overthrow, compete against, or punish "King Oedipus" with bad behavior, Michael's progressive successes in life only serve to increase the greatness of Ed Modzelewski as a father and his friend. In this day and age when the subjects of books and movies seem mostly to be about family dysfunction and misery, it's very heartening to read of such a positive, uplifting father-son relationship, as well as Michael's great effect on his brother and running partner, Scott. If you're looking for a step-by-step guidebook on how to run marathons, look elsewhere. But if you want an inspiring story of not only what it takes to master an immense physical challenge, but how to develop you mind and soul as well, Angeles Crest is a complete masterpiece.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Really Big Stars, May 3, 2000

By 

Steve Gillard "Steve Gillard" (Port Townsend, Washington USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angeles Crest: A Memoir (Hardcover)

I read this book mostly on the strength of Michael M's first book, "Inside Passage." I loved reading about his adventures on an Alaskan island, and his encounters with the wild and the whimsical in that remote wonderland. I must confess that I am not a runner, and wouldn't necessarily have bought "Angeles Crest" to read about running. BUT AM I EVER GLAD I DID buy it! This book is a chronicle of the most remarkable metaphysical and spiritual odyssey that I have ever encountered, and I am a metaphysical book junkie. If you have any doubts about the existence of "parallel worlds" that are accessible to any of us who are willing to make the trek into them, via running or any other spiritual practice, this book will blow your mind. Two big thumbs up, and five really big stars.