Javatrekker: Dispatches From the World of Fair Trade Coffee

by Dean Cycon | Education |
ISBN: 9781933392707 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Sfogs of Rolleston, Canterbury New Zealand on 4/4/2010
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
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33 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Sfogs from Rolleston, Canterbury New Zealand on Sunday, April 4, 2010
Everyone Coffee drinkers or not!
An Amazing read! This book will tell you what really happened, so that you could get your morning coffee. See the highs and lows, Amazing true stories of coffee farmers from all over the world! A real gem!

*I brought this book from my local Trade Aid shop with my birthday money! and I plan on sending it on it's own adventure, to help spread the word!*

*From Back*
In each cup of coffee the major issues of the twenty-first century-globalization, immigration, women's rights, pollution, indigenous rights, and self-determination-are played out in villages and remote areas around the world. In 'Javatrekker: Dispatches from the World of Fair Trade Coffee', a unique hybrid of Fair Trade business study, adventure travel, and cultural anthropology, author and coffee entreneur Dean Cycon introduces readers to the real people who make our morning coffee ritual possiable-people that few, if any,outsiders have ever seen. Readers are introduced to the Mamos of Colombia-holy men who believe they are literally holding the world together-despite the effects of climate change caused by us, their "younger brothers". And Cycon takes readers on a trip through an ancient forestin Ethiopia where many believe that coffee was first discovered 1,500 years ago by the goatherd Kaldi. Rich with stories of people, landscapes, and customs, 'Javatrekker' offers a deep appreciation and understanding of the global trade and culture of coffee.


Countries this book has been to:

New Zealand
USA
UK
South Africa
Italy
Thailand
Japan
Chile
Germany
United Arab Emirates
Norway
Canada
Portugal
Romania
Netherlands
France
Greece
Malaysia
Switzerland
Argentina

Starting a bookray with it:

1.) labmomnm -US (Int'l post) *Done*
2.) karen07814 -UK (UK/EU post only) *Done*
3.) katrinat -UK (Int'l post) *Done*
4.) shovelmonkey1 -UK (Int'l post) *Done*
5.) mrbaggins1 -South Africa (Int'l post)*Done*
6.) Hayes13 -Italy (Int'l post)*Done*
7.) bookowl1000 -UK(Thailand when book arrived) (Int'l post)*Done*
8.) pinkbug1 -Japan (Int'l post)*Done*
9.) duza-kaluza -Chile (Int'l post)*Done*
10.) SerendipityN -Germany (Int'l post)*Done*
11.) DubaiReader -United Arab Emirates (Int'l post)*Done*
12.) GronnLivsstil -Norway (Int'l post)*Done*
13.) Kally93 -Canada (?)*Done*
14.) k00kaburra -USA (US/Canada post)*Done*
15.) LittleWhiteBird -USA (US/Canada post)*Done*
16.) azuki -USA (US/Canada post)*Done*
17.) BooksandMusic -USA (Int'l post)*Done*
18.) judygreeneyes -USA (US/Int'l post)*Done*
19.) VictoriaWagtail -Sweden (presuming EU post)*Skipped*
20.) Arvores -Portugal (EU post)*Done*
21.) lamelemon -Romania (EU/Int'l post)*Done*
22.) carmendoran -UK (UK/EU post)*Skipped*
23.) Abi-Gibby -UK (presuming EU post)*Skipped*
24.) iiwi -Netherlands (EU/Int'l post)*Done*
25.) Icila -France (Int'l post)*Done*
26.) Delphi_Reader -Greece (Int'l post)*Done*
27.) susanna koh -Malaysia (Int'l post)*Stalled, got a new copy*
28.) penelopewanders -Switzerland (EU Post)*Done*
29.) Trojanhorse -UK (Int'l post)*Done*
30.) mcsar -Canada (US Post)*Done*
31.) BOOKWORMINUSALL -USA (post?)*Done*
32.) rhythmbiscuit -USA (US post)*Done*
33.) jax987654321 -UK (EU Post)*Done*
34.) Poodlesister -UK (Int'l Post)*Done*
35.) hesiodo66 -Argentina (Int'l Post)*Done*
36.) StrangeEmily -Greece (Int'l Post)*Here*
37.) Billbooks -Australia (Int'l Post)
38.) hobbit -USA (Int'l Post)

Journal Entry 2 by Sfogs at Christchurch, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- New Zealand on Thursday, April 8, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (4/7/2010 UTC) at Christchurch, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- New Zealand

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In the post and on it's way to the USA!

Journal Entry 3 by winglabmomnmwing from Albuquerque, New Mexico USA on Thursday, April 15, 2010
Arrived 2 days ago - sorry for not journalling right away, but it has been one of those exhausting weeks at work & I've been strictly anti-computer at home!

24 April 2010 update (I forgot to do this before making the release note!) - I didn't make it all the way through this book; something about the author's tone really put me off. it is an interesting subject, but I think I'll see if I can find something written by someone "outside" the process...more strictly non-fiction & less agenda. But thanks for the chance to try it!

Journal Entry 4 by winglabmomnmwing at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Saturday, April 24, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (4/24/2010 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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Mailed to karen07814

Journal Entry 5 by karen07814 from Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Friday, April 30, 2010
excellent, my kind of book and it means I can put down Childrens Book A S Byatt and give up on booker (again)

snag is...there's already one other book in the back that I now have to buy!

OK the Children's book has moved onwards and I've now enjoyed this one far more than I ever would have done that one.

As someone whose idea of a good film is Black Gold it was interesting to find the same people in he book and to meet others from other lands.

Once again I'm made to feel grateful for being born into a democracy, whether or not I usually bemoan it.

I don't have someone take away more than I am expecting from my income arbitrarily, I am allowed to sell what I want to who I want and buy anything I can afford.

And yes this does mean fair trade coffee. I long since had the argument with myself over whether or not I should buy Nestle organic/green pay the extra and hope it gets to where it's supposed to.

Thanks for sharing

Journal Entry 6 by katrinat from Southend-on-Sea, Essex United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 19, 2010
arrived this week, thanks for sending

Journal Entry 7 by katrinat at Chelmsford, Essex United Kingdom on Monday, July 5, 2010
I've nearly finished with this book, will get the next address so I can send it on promptly. Sorry for the hold up.

Journal Entry 8 by shovelmonkey1 at Liverpool, Merseyside United Kingdom on Monday, July 12, 2010
Arrived safely in the morning post - thanks very much for sending this on. I am very excited about the monkey stickers :)

Journal Entry 9 by shovelmonkey1 at Liverpool, Merseyside United Kingdom on Saturday, July 24, 2010
I finished this book yesterday and am glad I read it. Although it tried to achieve a little too much for one small book (I think Dean could probably fill one or two more books with his java-trekking tales), it was informative and each chapter was different. I've learned a lot more about my thrice daily cup of coffee and even though I always buy fairtrade, i'm now better versed in the background history of the places that the beans began their life. I especially enjoyed the chapter on Papua New Guinea (where can I get my own Paman Dean?)
This book is now ready to travel to South Africa.

Journal Entry 10 by shovelmonkey1 at Liverpool, Merseyside United Kingdom on Saturday, July 24, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (7/24/2010 UTC) at Liverpool, Merseyside United Kingdom

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This book is now trekking to mrbaggins1 in South Africa. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 11 by mrbaggins1 at Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa on Friday, July 30, 2010
Arrived today from the monkey now shoveling dirt in Turkey me thinks. Thanks for sharing. I have a couple in front of this one but will get 'round to it ASAP.

NB: The pages are coming loose from the spine. I'll repair it as best I can.




Journal Entry 12 by mrbaggins1 at Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa on Tuesday, September 28, 2010
I finished this last night and it was a great read about Fair Trade Coffee around the world and I learned a lot about the coffee industry in the process. The one error I found in the first part of the book that deals with Fair Trade Coffee in Africa is that Cycon refers to an incident where someone was attacked by a Jaguar, There's no Jaguars in Africa (except the British Automobile) - I think he meant a leopard. I plan to do some sort of blogpost on my LJ about the book particularly about the Death Trains and the Cafè Linder in Lèon - I did not know about any of this before reading "Javatrekker" - I highly recommended read & thanks for sharing - contacting the next in line.

ETA: My blogpost about the Cafe Linder: http://mrbaggins1.livejournal.com/74072.html

Journal Entry 13 by mrbaggins1 at Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa on Friday, October 29, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (10/29/2010 UTC) at Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa

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Released to Hayes13 in Italy by surface mail today.....with some more tea :)
The BX'er in Romania before her did not respond to PM's

Journal Entry 14 by Hayes13 at Roma, Lazio Italy on Monday, January 24, 2011
Arrived this morning. Thank you Mrbaggins1 for the book and for the Rooibos Tea! *runs to put the kettle on*

Journal Entry 15 by Hayes13 at Bangkok, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Thailand on Monday, February 14, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (2/14/2011 UTC) at Bangkok, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Thailand

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This was really fascinating! Oh, the things I learned about my cup of coffee. I've decided to start buying Fair Trade coffee from the local COOP supermarket, but I do wish I could find Dean's Beans here in Italy.

Thanks for sharing with me.

Off to Thailand

Journal Entry 16 by bookowl1000 at Bangkok, (Bangkok) Krung Thep Mahanakhon Thailand on Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The book is continuing its journey around the world by arriving here in Bangkok. Thank you Hayes13 for ensuring that it reached me while still working here.

Journal Entry 17 by bookowl1000 at Bangkok, (Bangkok) Krung Thep Mahanakhon Thailand on Tuesday, March 1, 2011
This is a book with an agenda: to convince people to buy fair trade coffee. While it covers issues such as coffee farmers' struggles with globalization, women's rights, environmental concerns, war and much more, what I liked the most was its role as a travel journal.

I learnt about coffee cultures and differing customs and politics from around the world, and enjoyed the humorous stories intermixed with Dean Cycon's adventures: he obviously has a good sense of humour. He does a good job of portraying the personalities of those that he met on his travels, and you genuinely start wishing them well.

This book extended its travels by escaping from Bangkok to the island of Phangan, and spending many a pleasant hour with me swinging in a hammock on the beach.

Journal Entry 18 by bookowl1000 at Bangkok, (Bangkok) Krung Thep Mahanakhon Thailand on Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (3/2/2011 UTC) at Bangkok, (Bangkok) Krung Thep Mahanakhon Thailand

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Posted to pinkbug1. Enjoy.

Journal Entry 19 by pinkbug1 at Chatan Town / 北谷町, Okinawa-ken Japan on Monday, April 4, 2011
Just picked this up from the post office today! I am very excited to read it!

Journal Entry 20 by pinkbug1 at Kadena Air Base / 嘉手納飛行場, Okinawa-ken Japan on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Finally done with this book! It took me a while to read it because mainly my state-of-mind wasn't in a good place to read a non-fiction book, too much else on my mind. This is an awesome travel book about a guy's journey to better the lives of coffee planters world wide. He goes to some of the most amazing places where they grow free-trade coffee. The stories are amazing and often touching and heart-felt, but also hilarious.I highly recommend if you like coffee, and you like travel books. The chapters could have been much shorter, but there is nothing really wrong with that.

Journal Entry 21 by pinkbug1 at Kadena Air Base / 嘉手納飛行場, Okinawa-ken Japan on Sunday, October 30, 2011
On it's way to Duza-kaluza in Chile! Hope it gets there fast!

Journal Entry 22 by duza-kaluza at Santiago, Región Metropolitana Chile on Friday, November 18, 2011
I got this in the post yesterday. I forgot I had joined this bookring. In fact I haven't participated in a ring for a couple years, so it's a nice surprise.

I'm studying at the moment with a big exam coming up in a couple weeks, but after that I will be ever so happy to read for pleasure again.

Thanks Sfogs for setting this ring up.

Journal Entry 23 by wingSerendipityNwing at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Arrived here yesterday. Thank you very much!

Journal Entry 24 by wingSerendipityNwing at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Sunday, May 13, 2012
Third time's a charm. Didn't work for me, I started this one three times and could never get into it. I really like coffee and think the topic is very interesting but turns out I'm just not much of a non-fiction reader. Thank you for this ray nonetheless! :-)

I haven't received an answer from DubaiReader, yet, and have pmed her again today.

Journal Entry 25 by wingSerendipityNwing at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Friday, May 18, 2012

Released 11 yrs ago (5/18/2012 UTC) at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany

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The book's now on its way to DubaiReader. :-)

Journal Entry 26 by DubaiReader at Dubai, Dubai United Arab Emirates on Sunday, June 10, 2012
....and here it is now, in Dubai!
Great timing as I always have more chance to read in the summer.
I'll try and get this on its way to Norway while I'm back home in UK for July.
Thanks Sfogs.

20th July:
Next reader GronnLivssti, should be on its way within the week.

17th Jan 2013:
Well, that was famous last words! This turned out to be a much harder read than I thought when I started it. I had hoped to post it on from UK but ended up bringing it back to Dubai to finish.
I had already asked GronnLivsstil for a postal address so this will travel on in the next few days.
Thanks to Sfogs for starting it on its way. I have added my review below.

Journal Entry 27 by DubaiReader at Dubai, Dubai United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
An eye-opener.

This book was informative, but a slow read. Some chapters were fascinating and grabbed me from the start, some were overly political and lost me completely. I've been picking this up and putting it down again for several months so it's quite a relief to reach the end. On the other hand, I have full respect for the work of Dean Cycon, founder of Dean's Beans. He has travelled to the source of his supplies and treats his farmers with compassion and dignity.

The chapters each refer to one visit, one area of the world, dating between 1997 and 2007. I had no idea there were so many coffee producing areas. Dean's main message to the farmers is to work together to cut out the money grabbing middle-man and, via co-operatives, to produce Free Trade coffee of uniform quality. To this end he supports them by providing fairly inexpensive equipment that facilitates the process of hulling the beans and returns a percentage of the profits directly to the farmers for improvements within the area. This may be schooling, social improvements, wells etc.

Some parts are quite distressing, such as the Death Train, which refers to a freight train that runs from the border of Guatemala and Mexico, right up to the US border. It is swarming with desperate people who are unable to feed their families due to the poor prices they earn for their coffee. These people travel in all weathers, squeezed betwen carriages or sitting on cargo. Meanwhile others use violence and extortion to steal what little these poor people may be carrying. And there's no guarentee of work when they arrive. Many fall from the train and are injured on the line, losing limbs or even their lives.

Fortunately other chapters are upbeat, such as Dean's visit to Papua New Guinea. These people are self sufficient in food production and coffee is just a part of their produce. They greeted Dean with song and dance, many of them plastered with mud of various colours.

I certainly learned a lot and am now better informed about the source of the coffee I drink.
3 stars for the book itself but 5 stars for the great work that Dean Cycon is doing around the world.

Journal Entry 28 by GronnLivsstil at Bryne, Rogaland fylke Norway on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
I had almost forgotten that I've signed up for this, when it finally arrived in my mailbox today. I need to finish another book, but I'll start reading this one as soon as I can.

Journal Entry 29 by GronnLivsstil at Bryne, Rogaland fylke Norway on Thursday, June 20, 2013
Sorry for the delay. I finally finished the book after a stressful exam period at university. It was an interesting read. I'll pass it on as soon as I get the next reader's address.

Journal Entry 30 by GronnLivsstil at Bryne, Rogaland fylke Norway on Sunday, July 28, 2013
I didn't get a reply from Duskdreamer, so I hope kally93 is still interested. Sorry for the wait.

Journal Entry 31 by GronnLivsstil at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Released 10 yrs ago (8/14/2013 UTC) at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

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Sent to kally93.

Journal Entry 32 by Kally93 at Brantford, Ontario Canada on Thursday, September 19, 2013
Book arrived safely a few weeks ago but I have little computer access at the moment so I am delayed in journaling it. Sorry about that, I'm sure you were worried. Thank you for sending it to me. I am already half way through it.

Journal Entry 33 by Kally93 at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Sunday, January 26, 2014

Released 10 yrs ago (1/26/2014 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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Thank you for sharing this interesting book. Both my husband and I read it. It has encouraged us to continue buying free trade coffee ( and other products).
Book on its way to next person.

Journal Entry 34 by k00kaburra at San Jose, California USA on Sunday, February 16, 2014
Book is here! I shall dive in as soon as I finish my current read!

Journal Entry 35 by k00kaburra at San Jose, California USA on Friday, June 27, 2014
Oh gosh, I'm so sorry!
This book got buried in a small pile of papers and I completely forgot about it.
As soon as I finish my current book, I'll start this one.

Journal Entry 36 by k00kaburra at San Jose, California USA on Friday, August 15, 2014
Started reading today.

Contacting the next person today so I can get it in the mail as soon as I finish.

Journal Entry 37 by k00kaburra at San Jose, California USA on Sunday, August 17, 2014
Finished today.

Founder of Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee, Dean Cycon makes it a priority to visit the farmers who grow his beans. In a collection of essays that are part-memoir, part anthropological study, and part-exploration of the impact of globalization on some of the most impoverished peoples in the world, Dean Cycon introduces the world to the men, women and children who produce their coffee. With equal parts humor (often at his own expense) and compassion, Dean highlights the backbreaking labor and often poor returns suffered by the farmers who tend to the coffee plants of Africa, the Americas, and the islands of the Pacific.

Dean chronicles his own attempts to improve the lives of the villages where his workers live. As he explains it, his company is committed to small, meaningful projects that benefit the local population by providing them with things they need. He works directly with the villagers, not a foreign aid agency or the local government, to ensure that the funds are used productively. In Ethiopia, this means building wells designed by the local people so that they can carry out repairs on their own. In Peru, the funds are dedicated to restoring the local forests, as these sacred lands have been severely degraded by illegal logging.

The book is also a travelogue. Many of the men and women Dean works with are indigenous people, and their customs are quite foreign to the American writer. He describes some of the ceremonies he witnesses so vividly it’s like you’re standing right next to him; at other times, he describes his attempts to communicate in the local languages and joins the natives in laughing at how badly he fails.

Finally, the book exposes many of the ways that coffee has hurt the people who grow it. In the early 2000s, prices plummeted globally, and many farmers went into debt as they sold their beans for less than it cost to produce them. Many of these farmers don’t understand why the price dropped so dramatically, because their understanding of the global market is nonexistent – they sell their beans on to a middleman and never even see what the final product looks like. In other countries, the policies of the U.N. and local governments make it impossible for anyone but the rich to get wealthier as corruption and poor recordkeeping destroys Dean’s attempts to track beans from the fields to his warehouses.

I have to confess that I never gave much thought to where my coffee was coming from. I mean, I knew that they had to come from somewhere tropical, but that’s as far as my consideration went. I found Dean’s stories to be very eye-opening and, at times, heartbreaking. Ever since that expose that showed holes in Greg Mortenson’s claims of do-gooding in Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools, I’ve been wary of books that proudly toot the horn of their author’s good deeds. Dean seem sincere, and my attempts to Google any criticisms of his work did not turn up anything dramatic.

The one failing the book had was it didn’t always explain terminology very well. In the opening and closing paragraphs, Dean brags about being a “Javatrekker” – but he never explains what exactly he means by this term. Is a Javatrekker someone who physically travels to see where his beans come from? Is it just someone who knows the men and women who picked and roasted his beans? Can you be an armchair Javatrekker? I have no idea. Likewise, I’m not quite sure what “Fair Trade” means. I understand that it’s a desirable label, and one that has been abused by other [corporate] coffee companies, but what the precise requirement is to be Fair Trade in Dean’s book eludes me.

Still, it’s a fascinating read, encompassing many of my favorite things: coffee, travel, ethnographic reports, and white guys trying (and failing) to go native. I’d really recommend Javatrekker to anyone who is still enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee every morning. If I have to wash away that feeling of guilt as I indulge myself, I want to at least know that other people are troubled, too.

Journal Entry 38 by k00kaburra at -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Saturday, August 23, 2014

Released 9 yrs ago (8/22/2014 UTC) at -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

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sent to LittleWhiteBird, the next person in the book ring!

Journal Entry 39 by LittleWhiteBird at Pasadena, California USA on Thursday, August 28, 2014
The book just arrived here. I'll take a break on the other book I'm reading and start this right away.

Journal Entry 40 by LittleWhiteBird at Pasadena, California USA on Thursday, September 18, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's one guys perspective on fair trade coffee told through his travels to visit the farmers. I didn't mind that it was his personal perspective as it was obvious and made the book more interesting to read than if it had presented "just the facts". I especially enjoyed how he took weird cultural experiences with humor. And I really appreciated how important it is to understand the people and their needs...

I just PMed azuki to ask for her address so I can send the book to her.

Journal Entry 41 by LittleWhiteBird at Pasadena, California USA on Friday, September 19, 2014

Released 9 yrs ago (9/20/2014 UTC) at Pasadena, California USA

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The book will be on its way to azuki as soon as I get to the post office, because it's heavier than 13 oz. That will be either tomorrow (Friday the 19th) or Monday.

Thanks for sharing it with me!

Journal Entry 42 by wingAzukiwing at Miami, Florida USA on Monday, October 6, 2014
Really glad to receive this as a bookring. My work is sometimes related to coffee, and at times I lend to coffee growers on Kiva, so it's great to be able to learn more about coffee, and about the farmers who grow it.

Have a couple of books that need to be mailed out in October, but will try to start on this soon. A bit intimidated by some of the comments that this is not going to be a quick and easy read!

Journal Entry 43 by wingAzukiwing at Miami, Florida USA on Friday, November 21, 2014
I totally enjoy reading about Dean's travel. I learned a lot about coffee in general, and about the specific regions they come from. It's really fascinating to have a more personal and intimate look at the coffee farmers, and that these different countries are now more than just names on a package.

Dean, at least in his own words, come across as fun, adventurous, daring, creative and caring. He seems genuinely concerned about the well-being of the farmers and tries to give them a hand-up, not hand-out.

In the first chapter about Ethiopia, he mentioned that sun dried coffee beans usually sell for less than wet-processed. I was curious about this, so I asked my friend, who works with Allegro, and she told me that it's true, and the simple fact was that people just don't like the floral, intense flavor produced from dry processing. Most people are used to that milder, caramel-ly flavors from South American beans where wet processed is used. So it's just an unfortunate matter of demand and supply. My friend also told me that this book is among her recommended reading when she trains her staff.

I found Dean's website, it has some of the photos in the book plus more.
http://coopcoffees.com/producer-photos

I received BooksandMusic's address but won't be able to mail it out till after Thanksgiving.

Journal Entry 44 by BooksandMusic at Seattle, Washington USA on Friday, December 12, 2014
Thank you for sending this, I will read it as soon as I can.

Journal Entry 45 by BooksandMusic at Seattle, Washington USA on Sunday, December 28, 2014
Three things I liked about the book:
1. The good things he accomplishes for coffee farmers and amputees.
2. His sense of humor
3. His sense of perspective. He gets a little anti-American and anti-capitalistic
sometimes (we've earned it) but he doesn't gloss over the dictators, the thugs, the weapons, the crimes,
revolutionaries and counterrevolutionaries or even the eccentricities and anti-socialism
of the people in the countries in which he works. He is pretty good at laughing at
himself and not running other people (or their religions or social or government
systems) down.
He takes us into Ethiopia, Kenya, Columbia, Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, El Salvador, Sumatra and Papa New Guinea.
His business is coffee, his company is Dean's Beans and his motive is helping people. Put it all together and he calls it Javatrekking.
My coffee, Tony's Espresso Noir, is fair-trade but it doesn't say on the bag where the beans were grown.

One note: needs better editing. On the death-train and amputee section Dean writes about a coffee farmer from Honduras and says, "Things got quiet as Wilmer looked down at two stumps cut off above where his knees were." There is a picture of Wilmer in the book and he is missing one leg from above the knee. The other leg is whole and intact as you can see as he is wearing shorts.

Journal Entry 46 by BooksandMusic at Seattle, Washington USA on Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Released 9 yrs ago (12/29/2014 UTC) at Seattle, Washington USA

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Sent to Judygreeneyes

Journal Entry 47 by wingjudygreeneyeswing at San Diego, California USA on Thursday, January 15, 2015
This book is now in beautiful San Diego. I'm already in the first chapter and finding it very interesting. Thanks, BooksandMusic, for sending it my way.

Journal Entry 48 by wingjudygreeneyeswing at San Diego, California USA on Saturday, April 4, 2015

Released 8 yrs ago (4/3/2015 UTC) at San Diego, California USA

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This is an interesting and informative view into the world of Fair Trade. I love the idea of Fair Trade and currently purchase several items that have that designation, like coffee and chocolate and well as gift items. The Greater Good website (greatergood.com) has many Fair Trade items.

VictoriaWagtail chose to not participate, so this book is going to Arvores in Portugal. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 49 by Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Monday, May 18, 2015
It's with me now. Thank you for sharing. I guess it will take me more than a month to read it with the proper attention. I hope it's OK.

Thanks for the stickers :-)

Journal Entry 50 by Arvores at Porto Santo (ilha), Madeira Portugal on Thursday, October 22, 2015
First of all I want to apologize for keeping the book for so long. Life has been extra-demanding, especially with moving houses (again!).

I already was aware of some of the facts reported in this book, but it goes far beyond. I think coffee becomes bitter after you read such stories. But, after all, there's nothing wrong with the drink. It's all about human greed, human rights and unbalance.

The other readers have said it all, already.
The book will start travelling to Romania tomorrow.

Thank you so much for sharing.

Journal Entry 51 by lamelemon at București, Wallachia Romania on Thursday, November 5, 2015
Now safe with me, thank you for sharing! Also thanks to Arvores for being my kind sender and for the lovely Porto card.

Journal Entry 52 by lamelemon at București, Wallachia Romania on Sunday, January 10, 2016
I have to admit I was a bit reluctant to read this book at first, as I am not the biggest fan of nonfiction and as it sometimes turned out to hold an agenda of its own. However, I stand corrected and Javatrekker impressed me. There is so little we know about where our coffee comes from and about the way of life of people that plant and harvest it, then intermediate its route to our cups. El Tren de la Muerte was what touched me the most, but nonetheless there are heartwarming and even funny stories throughout the book.

Thank you for sharing, I will now contact the next in line to keep the book traveling.

Journal Entry 53 by lamelemon at București, Wallachia Romania on Saturday, January 30, 2016

Released 8 yrs ago (1/30/2016 UTC) at București, Wallachia Romania

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Thank you all for sharing! :)
I have posted the book to iiwi this morning, as I had no reply from carmendoran, while Abi-Gibby asked to be skipped.
Happy reading!

Journal Entry 54 by wingiiwiwing at Zeist, Utrecht Netherlands on Thursday, February 4, 2016
Arrived today in the Netherlands!

Journal Entry 55 by wingiiwiwing at Zeist, Utrecht Netherlands on Friday, April 8, 2016
The first time I came accross -coffee- was not long ago, when I was with a friend drinking coffee in a new coffeebar called 'Press' (because it is situated in an old printing press building. We normaly drink blends ofcourse, as you get these in the organic store overhere. So in Press we both had a coffee from beans from a different country. When we got them we sipped and then changed our coffee's and sipped again. We were astonished by the difference of flavour, from deep coffee that tasted like a bean to a fruity acidic cup that was like a berry.

Our book, the literary book from the Lowlands, that everybody in school has to read and do a report on is Max havelaar, and is about the abuse in the coffeetrade in Java, written in the 1800's. The book was like a literary bestseller and did stir up the coffeemarket procedures of that time.

Javatrekker felt for me more a travelbook, of Dean traveling to remote places where they happen to grow coffee. Interesting is how small contributions can make a difference to a whokle community. I made some Kiva loans to coffee entrepeneurs due to this book. His bussiness was far ahead of the growing bussiness were making profit is not the sole basis, but making the world better is, and profit is less dominant.

I will contact icila.

Journal Entry 56 by wingiiwiwing at Zeist, Utrecht Netherlands on Monday, April 11, 2016
On it's way to France.

Journal Entry 57 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Thursday, April 14, 2016
Thank you, this well-travelled book is now with me.

Journal Entry 58 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Released 6 yrs ago (3/28/2018 UTC) at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

With my apologies to have stalled this book for too long I send it to the next on the list.

Journal Entry 59 by wingDelphi_Readerwing at Delphi - Δελφοί , Fokida Greece on Wednesday, April 11, 2018
The book is now in my hands! Thank you everyone!

Journal Entry 60 by wingDelphi_Readerwing at Delphi - Δελφοί , Fokida Greece on Friday, April 27, 2018
This was a very interesting book but somehow it took me much longer to read than expected and I can’t figure out why. Maybe it has to do with me been quite preoccupied with other stuff right now, I don’t know.

I didn’t have specific expectations from the book, so I found it an interesting insight on coffee industry, Fair Trade movement and indigenous people’s/coffee farmers’ lives around the world, still I found it a bit all over the place.
“Javatrekker: Dispatches from the World of Fair Trade Coffee” doesn’t seem to focus enough on each issue, so someone unfamiliar with the topic can hardly get a deeper understanding on things. The book consists of snippets from Dean Cycon’s experiences all around the world which aren’t detailed enough to get more than a glimpse on each issue/area, while the author doesn’t restrict his self on the coffee production and coffee trade field, but roams on other fields too. Interesting fields for sure, but the book feels somehow fragmental. There is core material for several different books here!

Furthermore, while in general I think the author is a good guy making an important work, I can’t stop feeling than this book trims some corners a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean the author tells lies in purpose or something, but I’m sure that as it happens in most memoirs etc, often he focuses on the positive side of things and doesn’t mention what went wrong on some projects or skips various small mischiefs that surely must have happen during his trips. And I’m not talking about an upset stomach or specific people on a specific location slamming their doors to him, but on how it’s possible overcoming bureaucracy in counties run by corrupted governments without never ever giving a bribe or meeting a local mafia guy due to a misunderstanding while talking to the hotel receptionist, or how it happens having people drive you in the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason and without apparent consequences and so on… Not very convincing.

Then of course, it’s easy to judge by one’ sofa while others trek the world trying to improve people’s lives…

I’m glad I read this book, although I don’t think it’s something that calls for a re-read.


Thank you Sfogs for starting this book ray and everyone for making this book's journey so interesting. I have susanna koh's address, so the book will soon be on its way to Malaysia.

Released 5 yrs ago (4/30/2018 UTC) at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

And off to Malaysia it goes...

Enjoy!

Journal Entry 62 by wingpenelopewanderswing at Hasliberg, Bern / Berne Switzerland on Wednesday, October 10, 2018
This has arrived safely in the Swiss Alps where it joins another ring or two waiting for me to have time to read for pleasure. Thanks for sending -I will try to get to it soon.

Journal Entry 63 by wingpenelopewanderswing at Hasliberg, Bern / Berne Switzerland on Thursday, October 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and am grateful to the bookcrossing ring which has allowed me to discover it. Initially, as I am a tea-drinker, not really a coffee drinker, when I signed up for the ring I wondered if I would relate. In fact, the book is much more about the fair trade business and its equity, and globalization and its role in the coffee industry. And more.
I can't help thinking of Three Cups of Tea, and how excited I was by those small but powerful steps taken by Greg Mortenson... and how his projects were then criticized and the credibility destroyed. Dean Cycon's work around the world, his success in being accepted into communities hitherto hostile to outsiders and especially westerners, his many triumphs- how I hope this is all true and continuing ten years after this book was written. I was moved by the Death Train section and how he was able to help its victims.
While reading it, I mentioned the book to several people and often the response was that it must be very depressing - but no. Cycon's humor (should I say Mr Dean's? or Mr Bean's? or Greg's?) prevails throughout, definitely lightening some of the load (and his bowels? there is a bit of bathroom humor, but we can pass that..), and he actually relates a number of heartening success stories, which makes it such an easier read than dwelling on the coyotes and corruption and sad stories.
Again, grateful to bookcrossing and to those who thought to share this book. I have read this on my trip to London and will try to parcel and post from here.

Journal Entry 64 by wingpenelopewanderswing at City of Westminster, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, October 19, 2018

Released 5 yrs ago (10/19/2018 UTC) at City of Westminster, Greater London United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Read mainly on the train over from Switzerland (TGV + Eurostar), this now heads out of London and travels to Trojanhorse. Enjoy! Thanks for sending and thanks for making this available.

Journal Entry 65 by wingTrojanhorsewing at Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Thankyou penelopewanders. The book has arrived safely with me.
I'll see how I get on and will aim to get it moving again soon.

Journal Entry 66 by wingTrojanhorsewing at Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Friday, February 15, 2019
Like several others I must apologise for keeping this book longer than I intended. It was a thought provoking read and I certainly learnt a lot about coffee production and the associated problems. I found it a bit too heavy going with politics in places which is why it took me longer to get through than I anticipated. However, there was humour to lighten the load and Dean can certainly tell a good tale. I am in awe that one man has achieved so much to help so many people. The achievements in any one of these chapters would have been sufficient for most people but to have accomplished so much on such a scale is truly amazing.

Released 5 yrs ago (2/16/2019 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Finally on its way to Canada. Happy Reading! :)

Journal Entry 68 by mcsar at Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Thursday, March 14, 2019
The book arrived safe and sound. Thanks for sending. I will start reading soon and keep the ray going.

--------------------------
It has taken me a while to finish this very informative book. It kept me thinking about the impoverished farmers who supply my daily joy of espresso. We can do better by them.

Thanks for sharing the book.

Journal Entry 69 by mcsar at Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Sunday, April 28, 2019

Released 4 yrs ago (4/26/2019 UTC) at Richmond, British Columbia Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to the next reader.

Journal Entry 70 by BOOKWORMINUSALL at Mesa, Arizona USA on Monday, May 6, 2019
WHOOO HOOOO..."Javatrekker" has arrived in the Sonoran Desert in the USA!!! 😁THANK YOU for sending this to me mcsar...LOOOVE your little sticky note. 😉 After reviewing in your original thread https://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/540747, Sfogs...it looks as though I had not indicated my postal preferences (my apologies), which would be US...unless someone wishing to participate would be left out, & then I'd certainly consider mailing Internationally.😉 With rhythmbiscuit listed as next in line, it looks as though things will work out just fine, although it will take me a bit of time to read through this one. THANK YOU, for your extra efforts in going above & beyond the call of duty in securing a second copy to replace the original in order to continue to share this book via this Int'l Bookray for all!!! 💖 I'm looking forward to "exploring" the world of coffee that I have had to do without for the past few months. Thank goodness I can still enjoy my TAZO Green Ginger and Zen teas!!! 😊

-----------------------------------

UPDATE: 6 June 2019

Ready to send this one on its way to the next International Bookray Participant!!! 😊
THANK YOU AGAIN, for including me, Sfogs!!! 💖
https://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/540747

Journal Entry 71 by BOOKWORMINUSALL at Mesa, Arizona USA on Saturday, June 8, 2019
Not a "quick read", by any stretch of the imagination, what with all of its FABulous detail, summarized quite well by others above...but I am finally ready to send this on to the next participant, who has posted that they are unable to afford International Postage, so I have PMd rhythmbiscuit and Sfogs with a possible solution. 😉https://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/540747/9320398

Released 4 yrs ago (6/18/2019 UTC) at -- By Post Or By Hand (i.e. Ring, Ray, RABCK, Trade) in Denver, Colorado USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

THANK YOU, again Sfogs 💖, for including me in this Bookray!!! 😉 It is currently on the way to rhythmbiscuit in Colorado (expected delivery date is Friday, 21 June 2019), with a sheet of 10 Global Stamps https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/global-green-succulent-S_564504 to help get it "Across the Pond" when the time comes. The recent activity has created renewed interest in the main thread, where at last check, two others are interested in joining in!!!😊 HAPPY READING ALL!!!📚 https://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/540747


Also released for...

booklady331's 2019 Keep Them Moving (KTM) Release Challenge
https://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/23/557667

SqnutZips' June 2019 Pollinator Celebration Release Challenge
https://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/23/559416/9326055

Journal Entry 73 by rhythmbiscuit at Northglenn, Colorado USA on Tuesday, June 25, 2019
I received this book in the mail. I look forward to reading it.

Journal Entry 74 by rhythmbiscuit at Northglenn, Colorado USA on Wednesday, August 21, 2019
I held onto this book for too long, but it's finally on its way to England.

I found Dean's stories in this book interesting. Like many (western, privileged) coffee drinkers, I didn't know much about the people who actually grow and process the beans. This book has made me more mindful, although I admit I still occasionally drink non-fair-trade coffee from the large chains. I'd like to do better.

I sort of lost interest in reading partway through, but I'm glad I came back to it. The story about Paman Dean was one of my favorites, and Dean's experiences at the festival in Indonesia (one of the last chapters) made me laugh out loud.

Journal Entry 75 by wingjax987654321wing at Ealing, Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Received as a book tag. I very much look forward to reading this book as I generally buy fair trade coffee, so want to know more about the impact of doing so

Journal Entry 76 by wingjax987654321wing at Ealing, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, October 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this. I switched tp fairtrade coffee some time ago or it might have been a bit of an uncomfortable read. A real insight into how the world works.

Journal Entry 77 by wingjax987654321wing at Ealing, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, November 3, 2019

Released 4 yrs ago (11/3/2019 UTC) at Ealing, Greater London United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

given to the next person on the book ring at a London Meetup

Journal Entry 78 by wingPoodlesisterwing at Walthamstow, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, November 3, 2019
Received at the London Meet Up.

Journal Entry 79 by wingPoodlesisterwing at Walthamstow, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, December 6, 2019
I really enjoyed the book. I found it funny, moving, fascinating and informative. With the odd jarring and culturally insensitive comment. I drink Café Direct Fairtrade Organic Machu Picchu coffee which I have just found out is grown in Peru, by the Huadquiña co-operative, and is “Grown at extreme altitudes within the Inca heartland of the Peruvian Andes and close to the sacred site of Machu Picchu, this coffee is 100% organic Arabica.” I’ve just ordered a copy of the book for my brother for Christmas as he loves a cup of coffee. Like jax987654321 I am particularly glad I drink Fairtrade coffee after reading this book.

Released 4 yrs ago (12/9/2019 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending to hesiodo66

Join UK Bookcrossers at the Newcastle Unconvention from 9th to 11th October 2020

Journal Entry 81 by hesiodo66 at Rosario, Santa Fe Argentina on Friday, December 20, 2019
Arraived!!!!!!

Journal Entry 82 by hesiodo66 at Rosario, Santa Fe Argentina on Friday, December 20, 2019
Arrived!!!!!!

Journal Entry 83 by hesiodo66 at Rosario, Santa Fe Argentina on Monday, June 8, 2020

Released 3 yrs ago (6/8/2020 UTC) at Rosario, Santa Fe Argentina

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

El libro pàrece de un inglés sencillo, que podría haber abordado si no fuera por toda la locura de la pandemia...confío que su nueva poseedora dará cuenta de él...

Journal Entry 84 by hesiodo66 at Rosario, Santa Fe Argentina on Monday, January 18, 2021

Released 3 yrs ago (1/18/2021 UTC) at Rosario, Santa Fe Argentina

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Parte hacia Grecia/going to Greece.

Journal Entry 85 by StrangeEmily at Trikala, Trikala Greece on Friday, March 5, 2021
The book is with me now! Thank you hesiodo for sending this all the way to Greece, that's why I love International bookrings and bookrays! Thank you Sfogs for starting this bookray !

Journal Entry 86 by StrangeEmily at Trikala, Trikala Greece on Thursday, August 26, 2021
When i received the book, i was reluctant to read it because i thought it would be too focused on coffee economics.
I finally started it in the holidays and finished it today. I was really immersed in its world, almost cried sometimes, laughed more often. I especially loved the stories from Ethiopia, Peru and -hilarious- Papua-New Guinea. I felt so sad about the suffocating system in Kenya, i felt the despair in the chapter about El Salvador and the Death Train.
I really admire the different
and ingenious ways that Fair Trade can help people not just survive and make some money, but evolve within their communities, educate their children and so on. However, i would really love to know what finally happens with these people, as now 14 years have passed since the book was published. Did they make it? How did the projects go? Sometimes, while reading, i also googled sone of the protagonists, like Tadesse, Esperanza and others.
From now on, i will drink only Fair Trade coffee, although i think i can't find in my town. So, i will bulk some coffees next time i travel to Athens.
Sfogs, thanks so much for starting this bookring, it was eye-opening! I will now send to the next reader, so that the book will go on travelling around the world!

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