This Cider Still Tastes Funny!: Further Adventures of a Game Warden in Maine

by John Allen Ford Sr.

John Ford Sr. returns to the outdoors of Maine with This Cider Still Tastes Funny! Further Adventures of a Game Warden in Maine, his follow-up to the highly popular and critically acclaimed Suddenly, the Cider Didn’t Taste So Good. Ford is a retired Maine game warden, sheriff, and gifted storyteller who carved out a reputation as a man of the law, but one who wasn’t a by-the-book enforcer. He often came up with a good quip as he slipped the handcuffs on a violator, and he wasn't above accepting a lesson learned as sufficient penalty for breaking the law. He was also more than willing to laugh at himself. As Kate Braestrup, author of the New York Times bestseller Here if you Need Me, said, “John Ford’s stories from his long career as a Maine game warden are offered with humility and good humor, and demonstrate an abiding affection for the land, creatures, and quirky characters of Maine. Ford is an appealing character, a great storyteller, and he’s FUNNY."

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Adventure

247 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2013

About the author

John Ford Sr., (1947-2018) a native Mainer, came from a long line of Maine Game Wardens. He was sworn into the service shortly after finishing up a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force. He spent all of his twenty-year warden career in Waldo County in central Maine. Upon his retirement in 1990, he was elected as county sheriff and re-elected in 1994. He wrote a local newspaper column and was a regular contributor to the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He also was a painter, known for his wildlife artwork.

Reviews

[Suzzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

More fun adventures from retired game warden, John Ford. I loved the stories in this book just as much as I did in his first book. He is a skillful writer and storyteller who combine humor and passion throughout the telling of his adventures. I really hope he writes more books!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the first book, these are anecdotal tales from his experiences as a game warden. This isn't a linear story. Easy to read. Somewhat like the stories in the Readers Digest.

Did I enjoy it? Yes
Would I read it again? Maybe, after say 20 years or so (this assumes I'll forget the stories).

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was in high school I found a lot of enjoyment in backpacking on the Appalachian Trail and crawling around in caves with my friends. Thirty years later—not so much—but I still enjoy reading clever accounts of backwoods happenings. The sort of stories told by Patrick McManus, Bill Heavey and now John Ford. Unlike McManus and Heavey, Ford wasn’t a professional writer—he was a game warden in Maine, but his stories are just as entertaining. If you think you’d enjoy a good humored look at life trying to enforce the hunting laws, you should give this book a try.

I received this book from Audiobook Boom in exchange for an honest review.

If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.

[Cole Stetson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we went around the room in English class I was asked to use two words to describe this book and let me tell you; no two words can describe this book! A single quote however can pretty much sum things up. "There is one memorable thing about law enforcement work: you never know what to expect and when to expect it." It's filled with life lessons from a local game warden, most funny, some sad and others neither, yet they are all very interesting. This is the second book in a coincidental series the other book being "Suddenly The Cider Didn't Taste So Good". After reading the first book when I was informed that this book had come about I pounced on it immediately but quickly became busy and never got to completely reading it. When we were asked to choose a reading book from the library as a "free-reading unit" I chose some cheap "novel" according to the scammed quotes on the back of the book. I quickly turned down that book and as the due date for the completion of our books came around I desperately searched for a book. I saw this desired reading book collecting dust so I figured "what the heck?" Might as well read it considering I had been searching for spare time to read it and it was the perfect opportunity and even if it was a bad book at least it would be a quick read. Glad I did what I did! It's one of those books that you relate to when you are faced with similar "challenges" of those faced by John in this legendary compilation of short stories. One quote that allows me to use the word legendary is stolen from one of his tales titled "Which One of You Damn Kids?" basically a man had caught a massive fish and had illegally placed it in his van as the game wardens watched (unknown by him). As the warden confronts him "Wow Larry what do we have here?" Larry: "Well I'll be gawd damned! Which one of you damn kids pt this in here?" This story was mostly funny but it makes you think twice about who's watching you. That leads me on to my next point that is yet another positive in the face of this book: all the stories are short and as I mentioned earlier-funny- short stories that keep you entertained while keeping your mind fresh. Just because I live in Maine and because I am a die-hard fisherman doesn't mean you can't read it. Anyone who is very interested in preserving Maine's Fish and Wildlife I know that this book would be good for anyone. Regardless to whether your collar be blue or white or if you live in Los Angeles or North Korea, your horizons can always be expanded and this is a great place to do such a thing. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend or a stranger. Great book for the whole family as well! I really encourage you to read this if you want a good laugh and if you are willing to get the name out there and support a small author and get the name out there. Enjoy!

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review

In the book The Cider Still Tastes Funny! By John Ford Sr. there is a variety of stories about John’s life and his patrol duties as a Maine State Game Warden. The book is Autobiography. The book is based on a particular person while patrolling on his duty. This repeated night hunter who John has pursued and caught plenty of times. The repeated offender sends him a thing of cider that he urinated in. He keeps repeatedly offending. It has a lot of other diary entries about catching night hunters all around Maine. Like this particular case in the book where these night hunters are riding on the Moosehead Trail Railroad on the train where guys were shooting deer of the train at night. John has to pursue the train jump onto it and make his way to the front. He then searched the whole train and finally found the gun hidden in the caboose under some blankets along with a box of bullets. He had completed his job in Waldo County Maine where John is from and lives. I would recommend this book to whoever likes reading about person lives, someone who likes an action packed adventure book, people who personally live in Maine and know the lifestyle, and just anyone who would enjoy the outdoors and what we do to protect it. I rated this book five stars because I like it a lot and cannot wait to read more of his books about his life/job!

[Dillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book wasn't nearly as good as the first one, but it was OK. John Ford is back, with all new stories of him hunting night hunters, and investigating crimes, and messing up, too! I think this book could have been a little better if he cut off some of the deer poaching stories, because those are usually long and boring stories. But, it was an OK book, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first one.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a hoot! We spent a number of years in northern Wisconsin and it was so easy to see that people who live out in the back of beyond in snow country have an awful lot in common. But this game warden has a real gift for remembering and sharing funny stories about working the woods and nabbing the lawbreakers. Loved it! Michael A Smith's narration really adds to the fun!
I won this audiobook in a giveaway!

[Kyle Briggs]

I enjoyed this book as much as I did his previous book. This one had less of the comical stories in it but it did have lots of action with night hunters as well as the usual knowledge and advice that John is able to give on the occupations and experiences that he has. Overall I have enjoyed both of John's books and would happily read another if he chose to write one.

[Carol Birch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good as the first one!

[Jean Boobar · Rating 2 out of 5]

A folksy collection of stories by a retired game warden in Maine. Appealing to those who enjoy hearing how the hunters/gatherers of rural Maine live their lives farming, hunting and fishing. Ford tells it as it is, laughing at himself along the way about some of the awkward situations he and others find themselves in.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many stories that largely sound the same, imparting seemingly poignant but really just vague “lessons”. I commend the author’s willingness to share his own foul-ups as well as those of others. Wouldn’t recommend reading straight through, but probably nice to pick up every once in a while.

[Slade]

The first one is better.

[Brugden]

bruh monkey

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the whole book in three days. Absorbed some local flavor while at a cottage on Damariscotta Lake.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first few chapters were funny, but I became less and less interested with each chapter that described yet another deer jacking. Will try it again later perhaps.

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, and not so funny, escapades of a Maine game warden.