Angeles Crest: A Memoir

Angeles Crest is pure bliss! Michael Modzelewski opened the Door with his first book, Inside Passage and here he runs through that door into a world we all should be living in, if we only we had the courage to open our minds to explore and accept "paranormal" worlds existing in parallel universes around us. WOW, Michael! You've taken your potential as a writer and a man and with this book blown it up sky-high and soul-deep. Michael Modzelewski is the prototype of the man for the future NOW. He operates on "all cylinders" -- and then some!!

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.

Christopher Morley once wrote: "When you sell a man a book, you don't seel him 12 ounces of paper and ink and glue -- you sell him a whole new life." That statement certainly applies to ANGELES CREST. The true test of a great author is if he gets you to think in totally new ways. Michael Modzelewski does that (many times over) with this wonderful, inspiring book. As a runner, he takes us through a 100 mile marathon(!) with memory passages filled to the brim with soul-stretching adventures. Ladies, this is the total Man we've all been looking for. Men, this is a Mentor to follow!

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.

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.