Belonging to the World: A Journey from Grief to Connection in Every Country on Earth

by Barry Hoffner

Readers' Choice Book Awards Bronze Winner, Adult Nonfiction

Some journeys we choose. Others choose us.

In the aftermath of tragedy, Barry Hoffner wanted to feel the pulse of the world again. The whole world.

When Barry Hoffner lost his wife and travel partner, Jackie, in a sudden tragedy, his grief was a black hole that consumed everything. But amid the quiet wreckage of loss, something unexpected the call to move, to reconnect, and to live fully again.

What began as a reluctant return to the road became an audacious mission to visit all 193 countries on Earth—not to escape his pain, but to transform it. Along the way, Barry discovered a world with far more depth and complexity than headlines suggest—one full of unexpected joy, even amid hardship and struggle. From war zones to mountaintops, refugee camps to ancient ruins, he found people whose kindness and openness brought him back to life.

Belonging to the World is a deeply felt memoir of healing from grief, finding resilience, and forging human connection across the globe.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Sara-Jane Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After suddenly and unexpectedly losing his dear wife Jackie, Barry had to figure out how to put the pieces of his life back together and work through his overwhelming grief and re-enter society. Both he and Jackie shared a passion for travel and after a chance meeting with a young traveller he decided to visit all 193 countries in the world.

“I wanted to see the world not as headlines, but as people. I wanted to remember what it felt like to be fully alive.”

This is a beautiful travel memoir, that follows Barry’s journey across the world as he works through his grief and reconnects himself with the world. It’s a raw example that grief is not linear and there’s no right or wrong way to deal with it. Barry shows true resilience on his journey as he rediscovers himself and connects with others around the world.

“And with each country, I came to
feel less lost, more connected, not only to others, but to the world and
myself.”

Barry showed a true passion to understand the different cultures and communities. I really enjoyed reading about his experiences in all of the different countries. I love travelling but unfortunately am not able to do so at the minute, so this was the next best thing, it’s fascinating learning about the different cultures.

I also really liked the map at the beginning of the book with the list of Barry’s Bests. From best festival to best antiquities. It’s a fun little bonus extra.

Overall, this was a 5⭐️ read for me. Raw, honest and inspiring, a journey of healing, discovery and connection.

[thesmokymountainsreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World did something to my heart. This book is about a man who journeys around the world after the sudden passing of his wife. Who among us hasn’t experienced grief? However, we all process it differently. It was beautiful to read about this man’s determination not to drown in a pool of grief, but to instead convert that grief into another purpose in his life. (Visiting all 193 countries on Earth is not how most people would do it, but now all of humanity has this awesome travel memoir as a result!) I cannot imagine being in the throes of grief and also traveling the world at the same time. There are so many ups and downs in the roller coaster that is grief, and you can really see it in his writing. Sometimes he’s quieter in tone and language, and at other times he’s quite boisterous and energetic, even leaning towards humorous and joyful. I appreciated his writing in that it felt honest and true, with him just telling his story the way he lived it, no pretense. At its heart, this book is about connection and compassionate kindness. I suppose this is why it affected me as deeply as it did. I would recommend this book for anyone who is struggling with grief, who loves travel stories with heart, or someone like me who needs to be reminded that the world is not as terrible as we think it is, that we need other people (and they need us), and that we are all just people living here on this planet together. Thank you to @lovebookstours and the author for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[meghin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World is a bittersweet, intense, adventurous five star travel memoir that follows Barry Hoffner’s transformative journey around the world following the sudden passing of his wife, Jackie. This book shows resilience (staying stubbornly, joyfully alive) and how Hoffner transcends grief by seeking shared humanity across cultural and political borders as if Jackie is his heart’s compass. Blending vulnerability and humor, this narrative evolves from a personal "grief-fueled bucket list" into a profound exploration of global kinship. From Pakistani classrooms to beach volleyball in the mountains… this book is full of kindness and connection. I love that this book can provide inspiration to anyone to have courage and write their own narrative. There’s emotional honesty and most amazingly, 100% of the book's proceeds fund scholarships for young women in West Africa in his late wife’s memory.

Thank you to Barry and Love Books Tours for the gifted copy.

[Alberto Tupputi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were to find the living definition of a crazy life, it would be the author's life. Barry Hoffner lost his wife in a tragic accident that involved an elephant. His life, in the aftermath of tragedy, was consumed by his grief. He lost himself and seemed unable to recover.

However, amidst the wreckage of loss, something unexpected happened: the call to move, to feel alive again, and to reconnect with himself. He decided he would visit every country on Earth (193). And what started as a way to perhaps escape from his grief became a journey of love, connection, hope, positivity, and people whose kindness and openness brought him back to life.

🤔 My thoughts on this book

His memoir is more than a simple recounting of his journey; it's a deep exploration of the human mind, societies, grief, love, acceptance, and the falsehood of media portraying certain countries as "bad". His life is one of a kind, and I felt part of his journey thanks to this book.

I felt his pain, struggles, fears, amazements, love, and so much more. His journey is a testament to the fact that life can take us to unexpected places, even after a sudden tragedy. It's a testament to the fact that we can come back better and stronger. His life is also a raw journey of how the grief for his wife's passing evolved, and I am sure many will relate to it.

"Why should I read it?"

I have two people I would highly recommend this book to: people who love traveling and are even thinking about visiting every country on Earth, and people who are going through loss. If you are one of those, you are going to absolutely love this book.

[Seth Washburne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggle to understand why Barry wrote this, other than "Let me tell you about me."

This book’s #1 theme is that Barry learns in 2021 about the term “UN Master,” coined in 2012 for people who have been to the 193 countries in the UN, and writes, “It was like believing you’re a master of something, only to find you’re actually an imposter. Obviously I, needed to think bigger.” On page 95, he notes he had already been to 121 countries, and goes to 71 more in the three years, 2022-2024, for a total 192.

The #2 theme is that life is about belonging, but Barry didn’t feel he belonged to the world after 111 countries, and now after 71 more, in which, traveling mostly alone with a guide, he had some interactions with some locals, feels he does. But on page 312 he writes about a 2025 4-day Extraordinary Travel Fest in Bangkok, among world travelers, “Three years ago, I didn’t know this world existed. But now, standing among this community, I felt I belonged.” It seems belonging to the extreme travel community is all that now comforts him.

The book’s #3 theme is that Barry is unhappy due to his wife’s passing, and is in his early 60s, and wants to rediscover joy in the world. He often notes his sadness, and after 69 more countries, 190 total, on page 287, writes he was still “in a funk” and asks, “Does healing ever truly ever end?” so traveling did not heal him.

There is no table of all 192 countries, nor the month he went to them, and not even a list of the 71. These are: 34 in Africa, 11 in the Pacific, 8 in the Middle East, 6 in the Caribbean, 6 in South Asia, 5 not found, and 1 in Europe.

The things I did not like were:

1. The lies: Barry writes this is “A journey from grief to connection in every country on earth,” “an audacious mission to visit all 193 countries on earth,” and that after losing his wife in 2017 he has “since traveled to every country in the world” - but he doesn't start this until 5 years after his wife died, his motivating grief was that he wasn't a UN Master, he goes to only 71 more countries, and never visited all as he has yet to visit North Korea. He chose to lie to people.

2. This isn't a travel book, as he describes nothing about 30 countries, and for the other 41 notes only one or two things. For example, about Kuwait he writes of only a dinner with a college roommate. For his 8 days in Saudi Arabia he mentions only lunch at a McDonalds and dancing on the roadside with his travel group. For 8 days in Afghanistan, he notes only meeting a government official in Herat, then visiting Bamyan’s destroyed Buddhas and paddling a “rubber ducky boat” on the Band-e-Amir lake. I am writing a 300+ page book about Afghanistan. For the Marshall Islands, he writes just 12 words, about eating fresh tuna. In the Solomon Islands he saw one waterfall and natives. About Tuvalu he writes of only a bike ride. The reason for this is that this book is not all about any countries, and instead is all about Barry, his meeting guides, other travelers, and an occasional moment with a local.

The 41 countries, which are mostly unpopular, and about which he writes just one or two items, are 19 countries in Africa: Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gabon, Libya, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Uganda; one in the Caribbean: Dominica; one in Europe Moldova; six in South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Timor-Leste (eastern Indonesia); six in the Middle East: Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, Yemen; and eight in the Pacific: Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. And again, he writes nothing special about these.

3. Barry’s publisher added seven pages of “frontmatter,” being 25 people writing “Praise for Belonging to the World,” starting with Julia Roberts. These reviews say the book is things it is not. Julia Roberts probably paid to be here to promote herself. This is all confusing and invites scrutiny, and it does not hold up under scrutiny.

4. He implies the UN Masters is a meaningful list, but one can be one without going to Alaska or Hawaii. The Travelers Century Club has a better list, of 330 places in the world, and started in 1954, 54 years earlier. I have been checking off its countries since 1987, 34 years before Barry learned about such lists.

5. He says he wanted to connect with locals – but he was mostly traveling alone with a paid guide, so of course one wants some other connection. On his trips with Wander Expeditions to Uganda, Afghanistan, and Mongolia, he doesn’t go out of his way to talk to locals.

6. He says people everywhere are naturally respectful and want to pose for photos – well, he was a rich looking 60-year old with probably an expensive guide in poor countries where tourists are rare, and he was conversational in Arabic. He also had an NGO card for the charity he runs which gets him some preference.

7. He promotes the idea of thinking of the year your loved-one died as “Year Zero,” and starting a new life, which online sources say can be bad. I lost a loved one, and don’t want to consider I am now living a new life.

8. He encourages people to go to dangerous countries and do dangerous things, though does keep to the safer parts, e.g., in Haiti. He writes on page 257, “the feeling of being truly alive often arrives in the courage of stepping toward the unknown” – well, that’s also how some thrill-seekers die.

We learn on page 307 that his wife was at a camp where one can ride horses near “dangerously unpredictable” wild elephants and stayed in a “tent camp” that these roamed through. At 6 a.m. after breakfast she went back to her tent to get a tip for a prior-day guide, and on the way back tripped over a log near an elephant… The camp subsequently built an elevated path between the tent and breakfast. Super sad and tragic, but this is what happens when one takes risks.

9. On other sites, the ratings are all essentially fake. Per AI, “The International Impact Book Awards is a "pay-to-win" or vanity award rather than a legitimate, prestigious literary prize. It offers virtually no industry credibility.” Bookfest and Readers’ Choice are similar.

10. All the sad stuff is a downer. He could and should have left out all the sad stuff and written a happy book about all of his travels. His wife, too, would probably have far preferred that.

11. His bio seems to lie about having “worked in investment banking across the globe.” He was at JP Morgan in Treasury and in foreign exchange trading and these were in JPM’s commercial bank, which is a very big difference.

This is just his personal life story, then meeting guides through unpopular countries. It is mostly a downer of a book. I can't recommend it. I wish I had not spent my time on it. I wouldn’t even give this to anyone, and will instead take it to half-priced books.

Again, I can't understand his point. It is not for people getting over a loss, because he doesn't do so. It is not for travelers because he describes almost nothing. It is really "Read abut me."

It is print-on-demand, with the date Amazon printed it at your nearest warehouse stamped inside the back cover, and it should be pulled for a second edition.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belonging to the World follows Barry Hoffner’s journey from the sudden loss of his wife, Jackie, to an unexpected path of healing as he travels to every country on earth. The book opens with the shattering grief of Jackie’s death and the dark, disorienting months that follow, then widens into a story about connection, curiosity, and the raw power of human kindness. Hoffner moves through deserts in Oman, chaos and beauty in Afghanistan, warmth in Syria, wonder in Bhutan, and countless small moments of humanity that tell him he still belongs to the world, even when he feels unmoored from it. It is both a memoir of loss and a chronicle of awe, written with honesty and a clear desire to understand people wherever he goes.

As I read, I felt pulled into his emotional rhythm. Sometimes he writes with a quiet weight, almost like he is whispering because the grief is still too close. Other times, he throws himself into a scene with bright energy, like he is hungry to feel alive again. I found that mix moving. It mirrors how grief actually behaves. It hits hard, then softens, then surprises you all over again. The travel stories aren’t just pretty postcard moments. They are the places where he bumps into his own pain and also where he finds these tiny sparks of connection. I loved how often strangers show up at the perfect time. It made me think about how people everywhere have this instinct to reach toward someone who hurts.

I also appreciated the simplicity of the writing. He doesn’t try to sound wise or polished, and I liked that. It feels like someone telling you the truth as they live it. The chapters unfold quickly, each country arriving like a new test or a new chance. I sometimes wished he lingered longer, especially in the places that clearly changed him. But the pace also reflects his state of mind. After loss, standing still can feel dangerous. Moving forward feels like survival. And the way he carries Jackie with him in every experience made me ache. It never felt sentimental. It felt real.

By the end, I had this sense that the world he traveled through became less a map and more a mirror. Every landscape, every border crossing, every shared meal made him a little braver and a little softer. I didn’t finish the book thinking about travel as a checklist. I finished it thinking about how connection works. How people can stitch you back together without even knowing they’re doing it. How a life can shift from broken to open if you let yourself keep going, one unfamiliar place at a time.

I would recommend Belonging to the World to anyone traveling through grief, anyone who loves travel stories with heart, and anyone who wants to see the world as more generous than the headlines make it seem. It’s especially good for readers who don’t need tidy lessons and who are comfortable walking beside someone still figuring it all out. The book feels like a companion for anyone trying to rebuild after life comes apart.

[Cait's Reading Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World is a memoir about navigating the complexities of grief and loss and finding renewed resilience and purpose. After losing his wife and travel partner, Jackie, Barry Hoffner was consumed by grief. In the midst of grief, he also feels the call to movement and action: to travel and see the world. Both Barry and Jackie traveled extensively together and on their own. As a family, they also traveled with their two sons. In Belonging to the World, we see Barry find a new purpose: Project 193. Visiting all 193 countries recognized by the United Nations.

The memoir shares Barry’s returning to travel after losing Jackie and how the journey unfolds across countries and continents. He builds friendships and connects from fellow travelers and those who reside in the countries he visit. Chapter focus on specific destinations, what called Barry to visit at that particular time, his experiences, and their impact on his own journey. The prose describing each destination is vivid and detailed, like the reader is there as well.

Each chapter reinforces that grief is not a linear. Grief remains present, but it appears in various ways. Sometimes unexpected and unplanned. Grief is a complex emotion. Passages from philosophers, poets, and writers are woven throughout the novel to amplify the themes of each chapter, including navigating through and with grief, and how simultaneously, hope emerges. Resilience rises.

Belonging to the World is a thought-provoking exploration about grief, healing, resilience, community, connection and identity. Travel is not just discovery of new places and cultures, but also discovery of self. We uncover things about ourselves the more we travel. Through Barry’s travels, we see how the concept of home evolves.

Belonging to the World shows not only at a macro perspective as citizens of the world we find belonging, but also finding a sense of belonging as we meet new people and forge connections. It’s about community created through travels. Travel is unifying, enlightening, and full of possibility. Travel helps us understand each other and life: both its complexities and the simplicities of everyday moments.

Through Barry’s travels in Project 193, we see a universal theme: kindness. Kindness brings people together and establishes foundations for community and connection. Small acts of kindness have ripple effects.

Thank you to Barry Hoffner & Love Books Tours for the opportunity to be a part of the tour! I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.

[Cool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for an unbiased review.

I too am a sort-of competitive traveler (85 so far!), so I was interested in hearing the story of someone who has visited every one of the world's 193 countries.

This book is a mix of grief journal and extreme travelogue. Hoffner begins his 193-country quest after the sudden, tragic death of his wife Jackie. The first third of the book has some very profound, intimate thoughts on the death of a life partner, grieving the life you'd planned together, and finding a reason to move on. I did not expect such a moving treatise on love and loss.

Ironically, the 193-country quest travelogue in the final two-thirds of the book was not as engaging. I found much of the stories repetitive (he flies into a developing nation; he meets people; he is reminded of Jackie and how important human connection is), and strangely not so interesting given the subject matter.

I appreciated that he acknowledged that the "competitive traveling community" was traditionally filled with old white boomer men like himself; though he notes that now it's much more diversified and less restrictive, what he DOESN'T mention is the extreme wealth required to fulfill his own quest. Most people in search of 193 countries head to a continent and spend several months traveling backpacking around. But if you are inspired to follow in Hoffner's footsteps, know that he took over 10 individual roundtrip flights from San Francisco to Africa or Asia (priced at around $1200 apiece) in a 3-year span. This does not include thousands of $$ in guides, visa fees, hotels, and tours (did you know that a Ugandan gorilla trek permit is $800? Not the tour! The PERMIT). Living in spendy Sausalito, with all this available cash...a nod to his highly privileged quest method would have been a bit more honest. But I will also add that he is a massive African philanthropist, and the sales of this book are donated to his foundation. So I suppose it evens out.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨✈️Belonging to the World by Barry Hoffner | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) |Physical book via Love Book Tour ✈️✨

Memoirs typically aren’t my go‑to genre, however, Belonging to the World was an extremely heartfelt read. Barry’s recounts of his travels, including Project 193 (he visited a total of 193 countries, y’all!), and the cultural experiences he embraced felt both intimate and expansive 🗺️

What moved me most was the kindness he encountered in places the media often portray as dangerous or unwelcoming. Page after page, Barry reveals a world that is far more gentle, more generous, and more interconnected than we are led to believe. His stories reminded me that humanity is often at its brightest in the places we least expect.

The book includes various photos from Barry’s journey, and they helped me visualize the individuals he met, the landscapes he crossed, and the moments and memories that shaped him. I found myself pausing often to find a given country on a world map, or researching political tensions and histories I was not privy to. This memoir helped to expand my understanding of the world 🌎

One of the most commendable parts of Barry’s journey was his decision to return to the area where his wife had her encounter with a male elephant — the encounter that ultimately took her life. Barry, thank you for giving me the opportunity to read about your travels and your story. Your resilience, your openness, and your willingness to share both the beauty and the ache of your journey through loss and grief left a deep impression on me 💞

For anyone interested in world travel, cultural connection, or heartfelt stories that remind you of the goodness that still exists in humanity — this is the read for you 📝

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Barry Hoffner's raw and emotional memoirs are heart shattering, poignant, thoughtful, hopeful, and personal. While he and his wife were on separate adventures, to meet up later, Barry received the devastating news that his beloved Jackie had been killed in a terrible accident. His shock, anguish, and deep grief swallowed him whole. He and his two sons processed the grief in different ways.

An avid traveler, one of Barry's goals was(is) to visit all 193 countries and he has come super close. He describes many of his and Jackie's adventures along with his solo adventures after his "year zero". Along with the headaches of travel such as visa issues and a hijacking, he describes a plethora of great experiences which was healing to him. Connection with people, unifying experiences in different cultures, gaining understanding, and finding belonging were crucial on his journey.

Many countries he traveled to are detailed such as Israel, Russia, the "stans", Mali, and Sudan. We travel for history, architecture, food, culture, tradition, weirdness., and natural scenery but we also have personal quests or goals. As an international traveler myself, I understand the richness of unparalleled travel "education" and starting over with a clean slate.

Despite dark sorrow and feeling lost, the author was able to experience travel joy and fulfillment after a time. I am glad he includes lovely photos of his lovely wife and their two sons in this book, a very personal touch. One of the most touching moments (there are many!) was the keepsake book Barry created for his sons which was therapeutic for him, too. Truly remarkable family.

[Joyce Kpeglo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has always longed to experience different people, cultures, languages, and cuisines around the world, Belonging to the world by Barry Hofner quickly piqued my interest .

The idea of travelling to 192 countries is incredible on its own, but what kept me hooked was how every chapter felt like a new adventure. One moment, I was reading about Russia, and the next I was eager to find out what awaited in Mali. Every country brought a different story, a different culture, and a different perspective. By the end of the book, I was left with an even stronger desire to see more of the world

What struck me most is how this book is far more than just about travelling. Barry's story of navigating grief and finding "life after loss" through his journeys is both moving and relatable. He shows how the simple things we love doing can help us heal, rebuild, and find meaning after losing those who matter most to us.

I also appreciated knowing that the book is tied to causes that create opportunities for others. Proceeds support the Bouse Jackie Scholarship helping young women attain higher education in West Africa and the West African Women Speakers Forum in both its Anglophone and Francophone editions where women are empowered to use their voice through public speaking. That connection between storytelling, travel, education, and impact makes the book feel even more genuine.
Belonging is a reminder that the world is far bigger than what is familiar, yet human experiences often connect us in unexpected ways. It is an inspiring read for anyone who dreams of seeing more of the world and understanding the people who call it home.

[Debesbooknookwit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World by Barry Hoffner

This memoir is about what you do when your world is gone and you still have to keep moving. After the sudden loss of his wife Jackie during a trip to Africa, Hoffner chooses not to retreat, but to continue the life they built together, traveling the world.

What stood out to me was how clearly this journey remains about his wife. From early memories like their time at the Taj Mahal to the final photo of her in Botswana, her presence is woven through every step. His travels not about replacing what was lost, but about honoring it.

The travel carries meaning, with chapters move through places like Sudan and Korea, often framed by reflections on humanity, conflict, and connection. The people he meets along the way become part of the healing process, reinforcing what he comes to believe: “we belong not to places or possessions, but to one another.” That idea anchors the entire book.

There’s no attempt to make grief feel controlled and clean, it lingers and shows up throughout, but alongside it is movement, connection, and a slow rebuilding of purpose. Even in the author’s note, when one final country remains out of reach, the realization is clear: “the journey feels whole… not about completing a list but about moving forward with life itself.”

This book doesn’t close the door on grief, it shows you how to walk forward with it. Thank you Barry for allowing me a glimpse into this tribute, you honored your love beautifully.

Be sure to pick up your copy today!

[Amanda Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you LBT for having me on this book review tour and for my gifted copy of this epub.

This was such an amazing book. We followed Barry Hoffner's journey after he unexpectedly losing his wife and when the book first starts oh my. I cried like a baby. I lost my mom and I watched my dad deal with it and how well he didn’t handle it well he still doesn’t it just made me really wish my dad would have handled it all better. But I loved how Barry just left and went and saw every country !!

I mean can you imagine getting to experience this how cool and eye opening this would be. This book isn’t just about grief it’s about healing and traveling and also most importantly human kindness. That I feel like goes such a long long way.

This book really spoke to me in so many ways. I love the writing and how sometimes he writes with energy and so much joy and just wow but then in other parts you can feel the weight of his grief crushing him. I feel like this my mom has been gone 10 years and yet it still feels like it was yesterday sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe cause I miss her so much. She was my best friend and doing life without her is really hard. So I connected with this book in so many ways.

I really want to experience traveling the world. I think would be so cool. I mean so of the places Barry went I seriously felt like I could feel the heat and oh how I loved that.

Overall this book was real and raw and truly amazing. I will be buying this book to read again !!

[Ashleigh Reinersman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World is more than a book; it’s a story that delves deep into your heart. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it at first because I typically prefer fiction books over non-fiction, but something drew me in, and I’m so glad it did! This is a book that will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading it. I enjoyed every last detail of this book! Barry’s story of grief, adventure, self-reflection, and exposure to the realities of life around the world is awe-inspiring. I most appreciated Barry’s raw vulnerability in sharing the ups and downs of his grief along the way. There are no words that can encompass the admiration I have for the love that Barry and his wife, Jackie, shared for each other and how they spread that love to their sons and the world around them! Overall, this book made me smile, but there were times it also brought me to tears and others when it made me laugh out loud! One of the funniest lines for me was “It’s great to see Benjamin come back to life like this, but when is he going to shut up?” My oldest son is also Benjamin, and he also loves to talk, so I laughed over and over at this. You really never know how your words will connect with your reader! Belonging to the World is a beautifully written masterpiece, and I encourage everyone to read it!

[Ruth B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World is a book about so much more than travel to every country. It's about a true journey - multiple journeys, actually. Barry's journey to find healing and balance after the loss of his wife; but also a journey of opening oneself up to the people, experiences and challenges you face when you travel the way that Barry does. He makes it a point to truly engage with as many locals as possible, to learn languages, customs and cultures - not just to check off countries. He takes you with him, not only in his grief, but in his adventures, his fear, his excitement at the new places he goes, and the people he meets along the way - the wedding party on the side of the road, the birthday party in Damascus. You feel like you are right there beside him, even if he is someplace you've never been. I saw countries I've been to through new eyes; and feel like I've visited places I've not yet been. And I watched someone work his way through life's toughest challenge - losing his spouse - while continuing to support his boys, and actually growing his world, in the long run. I marked so many poignant passages in this book that I need to go back and re-read it! It was really the book I needed right now to remind me that the world is a bright, connected, diverse, warm and wonderful place (despite the news bombarding us all daily). Thanks Barry, for sharing your story!

[Tori Danforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read nonfiction books. The premise has to be really strong to pull me in, and this one hooked me immediately given my own personal love of travel.

“There’s no roadmap for rebuilding a life after loss.” – Barry Hoffer, BttW

Barry Hoffner’s memoir/travelogue starts off with the loss of his wife, Jackie, and takes us on both his literal and metaphorical journeys of moving on. He takes us with him as he learns to love travel again and as he finds a home in the extreme travelers’ community where he decides to take on the massive goal of visiting all 193 countries in the world. Along the way, we get meaningful and sometimes humorous anecdotes from his travels, including:
1. Founding schools for children and scholarships for women in underprivileged countries
2. ALLIGATORS ON A PLANE (my personal favorite travel story)
3. Negotiating backwards with artists
4. Finding ways into Syria, Yemen, and other war-torn or unstable countries
5.  Pictures of the stories he tells are included as an insert!

This story is a triumph of love, understanding, and acceptance. Barry teaches us that “if you arrive with curiosity instead of judgement, there’s an ocean of culture, story, and meaning waiting to meet you.” Plus, there are tons of animals!

4.5 stars (rounding up)!
 

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some Journeys we choose. Others choose us.
Belonging to the World by Barry Hoffner is a travel memoir about our author who lost his wife and other half of a traveling partner. The author is so honest about not knowing what to do when you face a loss in your life, especially of a partner. I have never had this happen personally but I know of two family members who have, and they agree with that concept. You loose all direction and connection in a way, even if you have kids here still. I like how the author found their purpose, their challenge in traveling to all 193 countries of the world. Well in this book, 93 countries left he had to visit as he has already visited 100 so far. Each chapter, each section of this book takes you through a different country and a different culture. You learn so much as you travel with Barry, and see what he sees through his eyes. We get to delve into Barry and Jackie's past and learn about what happened to his beloved wife. This was an emotionally gripping story about grief, loss, and learning to be someone after grief while still finding yourself and your wants and needs to a degree. I think everyone should read this to understand how life is precious and we need to enjoy the time with others and even afterwards, as we only live once.

[Monica L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, Barry, recounts his experiences following the loss of his wife, Jackie, weaving together memories, grief, and the healing power of storytelling.

The narrative captures the raw emotions of grief and gratitude, illustrating how memories can sustain us through difficult times. Barry’s reflections on his relationship with Jackie and their adventures provide a rich backdrop, making the story relatable and heartfelt. The process of writing becomes a therapeutic tool for Barry, allowing him to reorder his grief and reclaim parts of himself. The process of writing becomes a therapeutic tool for Barry, allowing him to reorder his grief and reclaim parts of himself. The book emphasizes the importance of human connections and the sense of belonging that can arise even from loss. Barry’s travels and encounters with diverse cultures highlight the beauty of humanity and the shared experiences that unite us.

Overall, “Belonging to the World” is a deeply moving tribute that resonates with anyone who has faced loss, making it a compelling read for those seeking solace and understanding in their own journeys.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Belonging to the World" is one of those rare memoirs that earns every superlative. Barry Hoffner's account of traveling to all 193 countries in the wake of his wife's tragic death in Botswana is a profound meditation on how connection can be the greatest antidote to grief. What makes the book so remarkable is Hoffner's vulnerability. He doesn't just describe landscapes and landmarks, but opens himself up to strangers across the globe, discovering again and again the underlying threads of kindness and shared humanity that bind us all together.

The writing is crisp and immersive, moving effortlessly between sweeping adventure and quiet, philosophical introspection in a way that feels completely natural. Whether he's sharing coffee in Port Sudan, celebrating a surprise birthday in Damascus, or wandering through the Okavango Delta where his journey began, each encounter pulses with genuine warmth and meaning. This is the kind of book that enables you to see the world as one vast community of people waiting to welcome you in, rather than a collection of nations defined by their differences. Hopeful, moving, and impossible to put down!

[Krystal Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you find your person, your place, your home…and then that comfort is taken from you in a very unforeseen and unexpected way. What do you do? You conquer the world head on. You look forward and embrace your journey- and really hold onto and cherish the past and all its beautiful memories. I am feeling as though this author is extremely admirable and courageous and an example to be lead by. This memoir filled with grief is equally filled with healing- and so much love and adventure many of us long to encounter. By my statement of love, I am referring the over abundance of acceptance he felt everywhere that he traveled in the world. All 193 countries! Feeling the urge to get out there and see the world amidst his painful personal story, was an outstanding way to bridge the gaps he felt in life after his loss. It was remarkable because you can use the beauty of the world, and human connection to heal parts that feel so broken. It gives you eyes to see more than what is in front of us, and helps us appreciate what we still have, even in the midst of a tragic loss. It’s builds resilience and character and even more lifelong memories.

[Courtney Kniffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never felt truly inspired to take on the world until I read this book. How a man can take such a tragedy as losing his partner in life and turn it into such a beautiful story of traveling around the world to every country (except one) to accomplish his life goals is beyond admirable. At first, it almost felt to me that he was trying to outrun the pain, but the farther along I read, I saw he wasn't trying to outrun anything. He was carrying his wife's love and legacy with him the whole time. I am so proud of Barry for reaching his goals of travel, but also so proud of the lifelong connections he has met along the way. I just know his wife was there in spirit with him every step of the way, rooting him on, and intervening when necessary to make things happen for him. He went and saw what he needed to and wrote this brilliant book to educate the rest of us about the world out there just waiting for us to enjoy its beauty and grace. The journey, the book, the accomplishments...all around job well done!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is a book that I didn’t know I needed. Part travelogue and part celebration of life that is full of love, loss, grief, finding your way back to yourself, and so much wisdom. This is a book that I found myself stopping frequently just to absorb the words and the journey of the author. I also found myself being moved by the words and frequently highlighting and tabbing phrases and passages that especially resonated with me. The way Barry finds beauty in the world, especially in unexpected encounters and places reminds me what a unique and amazing place the world is. I liked how he celebrates the connections he made with places and people around the world, even those that are perceived as dangerous and hostile. This book inspired me to travel widely and to find beauty and connection on the journey.

I highly recommend this book to readers that are looking for a book that celebrates the diversity and beauty of the world and its inhabitants.

Thanks to Love Book Tours for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kate Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Feet on the ground, heart open, I was saying yes not just to places, but to people, experiences, and reflection."

More than a travel memoir, this volume is a heartfelt tribute to the family of man, to the "extreme" travelers who courageously aspire to visit every country in the world, and to the legacy of the author's healing journey through the fog of personal loss and grief. Barry Hoffner, a former investment banker, and his wife, Jackie, a social media manager for an animal aid organization, enjoyed a life peppered with international living and travel, both solo and as a couple/family. A tragic accident in Botswana in 2017 prematurely claimed Jackie's life early one morning when she was scheduled to rendezvous with Hoffner in Kenya. Nearly crushed by losing the love of his life, whom he colorfully fell in love with on a visit to the Taj Mahal, Hoffner chose instead to channel his profound grief in honor of his lively, remarkable spouse, inspiring an evocative personal transformation . . .

Read more at The US Review of Books!

[Christine Antosca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belonging to the World is a heartfelt memoir about grief, healing, and the search for connection after devastating loss. Barry Hoffner’s love for his wife, Jackie, remains the emotional center of the story, and that thread gives the book its strongest and most touching moments.

What stood out most to me was the emotional depth. Even with the global travel focus, the heart of the memoir is really about carrying loss while trying to stay open to the world. There were also meaningful moments of connection throughout that reinforced the book’s message of belonging and resilience.

That said, the pacing was the biggest weakness for me. As the journey continued, the structure started to feel repetitive, which kept the emotional impact from hitting as hard as it could have by the end.

Overall, this was a thoughtful and moving read with a strong emotional core, even if it didn’t fully wow me by the finish.

[Kirsty Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a deeply moving and uplifting read, due to a period of profound grief yet transformed in to a story that is truly inspiring. What makes this book so special is the incredible journey the author takes, not just across continents, but through healing, reflection, and rediscovery.
As someone who loves to travel, I found the vivid descriptions of the places he visits captivating. But beyond the destinations, it’s the people he meets, the stories he shares, and the memories he creates that really made the book for me.

It’s not all heavy reflection either, the moment with the baby baboon in the Serengeti had me laughing out loud.

To sum this book up, I think it’s a beautiful reminder of how connection, adventure, and openness to the world can help piece things back together after loss, bringing a new focus. That said… I’m still not entirely convinced I would’ve had the courage to get in that boat for the rapids! 😂

[Amy Koller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World is a heartfelt memoir about loss, resilience, and the power of human connection. After the sudden death of his wife and travel partner, Barry Hoffner sets out on an extraordinary journey to visit all 193 countries—not as an escape from grief, but as a way to rediscover purpose and meaning.

Along the way, Hoffner encounters people and cultures that challenge the narratives often seen in the news. His travels through remote regions, difficult landscapes, and unexpected places reveal moments of kindness, generosity, and shared humanity.

What makes this memoir stand out is its honesty. It’s not just a travel story, but a reflection on how movement, curiosity, and connection can help rebuild a life after profound loss. Readers who enjoy travel writing with emotional depth will likely find this a thoughtful and inspiring read.

[Angry Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World by Barry Hoffner is a story of the author who lost his wife, Jackie, back in 2017 while traveling. The grief of the sudden demise of his wife breaks him, and he sets out on a journey to visit every country on Earth to heal himself by connecting with humanity and honoring the memory of his wife. and the feeling of emptiness haunts him.

He finds a way to heal himself and discovers suitable options in unfamiliar places, justifying that traveling involves not just staying in one place but exploring the entire world and experiencing various cultures and traditions across different regions. This book is a well-written memoir of loss and a way to heal through adventure. It is a heart-touching story for the fans.

[Martyn Beeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World is a moving and inspiring memoir about grief, resilience, and the healing power of human connection. Barry Hoffner transforms a profound personal loss into an extraordinary journey, showing how travel can become a path toward renewal rather than escape.

What makes this book particularly compelling is its message that meaningful connections can be found in every corner of the world. Through encounters with people from diverse cultures and circumstances, Hoffner reveals a side of humanity that is often overlooked one marked by kindness, generosity, and shared understanding.

A heartfelt and uplifting memoir that will resonate with readers interested in travel, personal growth, and stories of hope emerging from tragedy.

[Caleb GBEHEDE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belonging to the World is not just a travel memoir—it's a masterclass in carrying grief with grace. Hoffner turns unimaginable loss into a journey across countries on the map, proving that belonging is not a place but a choice we make again and again. This book will stay with you long after the last page.
Barry, I lost my Sephora in 2006. Not to an elephant. To life. To another man. To a child. To death.
I've cried every day since. For what I can't name. Your book Belonging to the World gave me something I didn't know I needed: choice to grieve differently. You're a fellow traveler who also knows loss doesn't end. You kept walking. Thank you for writing it. Thank you for being honest. Thank you for belonging to the world. May Jackie's memory be a blessing.

[Lori Pastorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it! At its heart, Hoffner affirms that belonging is less about geography than about openness to others. His gratitude, humor, and an acute awareness of both privilege and shared humanity, is a moving testament that even after the devastating loss, such as he suffered with from the sudden death of his beautiful wife, Jackie, the world continued to remain wide enough to hold hope — and we can all remain capable of finding our place within it.

Notably, 100 percent of the proceeds support scholarships for young women in West Africa in Jackie’s name, extending the book’s spirit of purpose beyond its pages.