Suddenly, the Cider Didn't Taste So Good

Adventures of a Game Warden in Maine

By: John Ford

Narrated by: Michael A. Smith

Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Retired Maine Game Warden John Ford has seen it all. He's been shot at by desperate prison escapees, been outwitted by wily trappers, and rescued scores of animals. As a tenacious and successful warden, he was always willing to spend the time needed to nab violators of the state's fish and game laws. At the same time, though, he wasn't a cold, heartless, go-by-the-book enforcer; he usually had a good quip ready when he slipped the handcuffs on a violator, and he wasn't above accepting a lesson learned as sufficient penalty for breaking the law. Ford is also a very gifted storyteller and he writes of his adventures in Suddenly, the Cider Didn't Taste So Good, a collection of true tales, both humorous and serious, from the trenches of law enforcement, and also includes heartwarming accounts of his rescue of hurt or abandoned animals.

©2012 Islandport Press (P)2016 Anaba Publishing LLC

wicked

very inspiring story. Loved the stories, laughter, and emotion of this novel. wicked good book!

Great authentic Maine stories

I really loved this book and so did my kids (ages 11 and 13). Audio production is well done and fun. I live in Maine and wish I had met John Ford before he passed. Wonderful stories.

Better than North Woods Law!

An easy listen especially as it was here in Maine. Better than what's shown on tv.

Great story teller, fun stories.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a perfect book for audio; it's just like listening to a great storyteller.
The stories are told from the perspective of a plain-spoken, decent, likable, self deprecating, regular guy. Plus, his love for the outdoors, and concern for the wildlife he's charged to protect is endearing without being sappy. He tells stories about the fascinating and the mundane events of a long career as a Maine game warden. In some of his adventures he comes out on top, and in some, not so much, and he's happy to poke fun at himself when he deserves it. It was read well, the reader basically gets out of the way and lets the stories come through. It's not easy to do a rural Maine accent without sounding clownish or mocking, but the reader does a variety of Maine accents for different characters in the book, does them with subtlety and it sounded authentic to me, who's lived in Maine for over 15 years. The performance added to the written word.
I do a lot of solo driving, and this book made me feel like I was riding with a great storyteller every time I got in the car.

Who was your favorite character and why?

If it's not the narrator, it maybe his pilot friend. He was described with equal parts admiration and fear.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the construction worker felt a need to point out the passenger in John's car TO JOHN, who would obviously have been aware of who was in his own car.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed countless times. I was pretty close to tears in one scene.

Any additional comments?

My recommendation is stronger if you love Maine.

Game Warden Adventures!

What made the experience of listening to Suddenly, the Cider Didn't Taste So Good the most enjoyable?

The stories were great. I laughed at some and others made me sad, like the Who family.

What other book might you compare Suddenly, the Cider Didn't Taste So Good to and why?

Can't compare the books to others. This one opened my eyes to this job.

Have you listened to any of Michael A. Smith’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I've listened to one of his books. He did not disappoint. His reading kept me interesting and wanting to hear more.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Adventures with the Game Warden

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

Perspective, Entertaining

I thought this book was awesome and great listen. The predicaments he got himself into were hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud. The narrator was great as well. I can only imagine the other adventures of his career he didn't share. Please share more of the experiences. I can say I listened in one listen. I have listened a couple more times. I would recommend especially if you enjoy first person books. Nice job and thank you for sharing.

"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

This was just a lot of fun

Northwoods Law fans will really love this. Warden Ford's adventures are everything from hilarious to sublime (jumping accidentally into a lake out of a plane to raising baby owls), and a twenty year career gave him a lot of stories, and these are great ones. We felt right in the woods with him, and this is one of the boys' favorites.

Funny and Exciting

Great stories of adventure and humor. The narrator nails the northern accent. Good quick book.

Great stories- I want more!

Suddenly, the Cider Didn't Taste So Good (Adventures of a Game Warden in Maine) by John Ford and narrated by Michael A. Smith is a good book if you need a pick-me-up or want to hear what life is like for a game warden. It’s guaranteed to give you some giggles, some shaking of your head, and possibly some tears. 4 ½ stars for stories, 4 stars narration.

What’s it about? The book contains stories from John Ford Sr.’s time as a game warden in Maine. You get everything from funny to sad to frightening. Breakdown below.

Foreword by John Marsh (former Chief Warden of Maine) and Introduction by John Ford. Approximately 9 minutes.
Chapter 1: Just Dropping In, Ladies ~ John learns to embrace a flying situation. Approx. 7 minutes.
Chapter 2: Caught in the Trap~ It isn’t always who you think it is. Approx. 5 minutes.
Chapter 3: Drop the Waders!~ Poachers. Approx. 11 minutes.
Chapter 4: A Mater Manure-Spreader Gets His Comeuppance~ Bad hunters. Approx. 16 minutes.
Chapter 5: If You Step in it, You’ll Know~ Deer season. Approx. 13 minutes.
Chapter 6: The Moody Mountain Manhunt~ Tracking escapees from prison. Approx. 26 minutes.
Chapter 7: More Bang for Your Buck~ A deer lawn ornament of sorts. Approx. 5 minutes.
Chapter 8: I’m Lost, You Know!~ A search for a resident of an assisted living home. Approx. 6 minutes.
Chapter 9: Last Flight into Abbott’s International Airport~ Flying with Dana Toothaker, the “cowboy warden”. Approx. 12 minutes.
Chapter 10: The Warden Gets Caught~ A fisherman’s tales. Approx. 11 minutes.
Chapter 11: The Bogeyman~ Sometimes our imagination gets the best of us. Approx. 6 minutes.
Chapter 12: Daddy Who?~ John raises Who-Who and Boo-Hoo with the help of the community. Approx. 9 minutes.
Chapter 13: You’re Welcome, Deer~ Raising Bucky the deer. Approx. 9 minutes.
Chapter 14: The Game Warden and the Murderer~ A friendship of sorts forms. Approx. 22 minutes.
Chapter 15: Foot-jack-uh!~ The night hunters. Approx. 8 minutes.
Chapter 16: Night-Hunting for Drug Smugglers~ Exactly as the title indicates. Approx. 8 minutes.
Chapter 17: Right on Time~ Night hunters in court and one minute. Approx. 6 minutes.
Chapter 18: Don’t Mess with Blinky~ Decoy deer and night-hunters. Approx. 8 minutes.
Chapter 19: Leo and the Life Preservers~ Practice what you preach. Approx. 7 minutes.
Chapter 20: It Helps to Be a Damned Sneak~ Scaring illegal trappers. Approx. 6 minutes.
Chapter 21: A Ride-Along with the Boss~ Exactly as the title indicates. Approx. 10 minutes.
Chapter 22: Every Town Has Its Cast of Characters~ Exactly as the title indicates. Approx. 10 minutes.
Chapter 23: Care to Join Us in a Deer Drive?~ The hunting season. Approx. 7 minutes.
Chapter 24: A Real Hat Trick~ Sunday hunting. Approx. 5 minutes.
Chapter 25: Good News, Bad News!~ Don’t leave your wallet when doing illegal things. Approx. 7 minutes.
Chapter 26: The Improvised Lie-Detector Test~ Stupid people. Approx. 11 minutes.
Chapter 27: Cat Got Your Tongue?~ Coffee with friends. Approx. 7 minutes.
Chapter 28: Are You Lonesome Tonight?~ Elvis’s death and his grandmother. Approx. 6 minutes.
Chapter 29: Smoke Gets in Their Eyes~ A funny tale of illegal fishing. This one is one of my favs. Approx. 6 minutes.
Chapter 30: Excuse Me, Ma’am~ Two orphaned fawn, two women, and the need to urinate. Approx. 7 minutes.
Chapter 31: One Man’s Tragedy Saves Another Man’s Life- Mine~ John’s battle with cancer.
Chapter 32: An Albino Fisher? Come on, Jimbo!~ Jimbo the poacher. Approx. 7 minutes.
Chapter 33: Where’s the Justice?~ A guy gets away with animal abuse. Approx. 6 minutes.
Chapter 34: Wile E. Fox Finds a Home~ Raising a fox, John gets a surprise and then heartbreak. Approx. 8 minutes.
Chapter 35: Suddenly, the Cider Didn’t Taste So Good~ An apple plus some. Approx. 7 minutes.

The narrator, Michael A. Smith, was good overall. Sometimes the accents would go in and out.

Parental guidance/trigger warnings: death (people, animals), friendship with Joel Fuller, cancer battle, a little preachy during the cancer battle as he relies on his faith to get him through, one story is about a guy who gets away with setting traps that purposely injure animals and there is no justice. Language used: SOB x4, Bastards, Sx2, damn/damned x78, hell x61.

*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!

A good storyteller!

Maine, law-enforcement, anecdotes, hunters, fishing, situational-humor, verbal-humor

I don't live in Maine, but I sure can relate as I have had hunting and fishing family in Northern Wisconsin all of my days. The author is a master storyteller who's not afraid to put himself out there and make fun of his mistakes and bloopers. Lots of laughs and a look inside a branch of law enforcement most folks don't often think about. I loved it!
Narrator Michael A Smith has an engaging delivery with a voice that's easy to listen to.