Belonging to the World

Name: Belonging to the World
ISBN: 978-1964721415

by Barry Hoffner

Publisher

GFB

Publication

Mar 03, 2026

Format

Paperback/Softback

Illustrated

Price

$18.95

Dimensions

6 x 9 x 0.77 in

ISBN

978-1964721415

ASIN

1964721415

Pages

344

Age

Adult 18+

Rights Sold

🌍 World Wide Rights Available

Description

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 stirred: 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.

Awards & Endorsements

Editorial Reviews

“One of those rare memoirs that manages to balance emotional honesty with sweeping adventure. On the surface, it’s the story of a man’s quest to visit all 193 countries after the tragic death of his wife. But at its core, it’s a deeply human exploration of what it means to heal, to reconnect, and to find belonging not just in places, but in people. Fans of travel writers like Paul Theroux or memoirists like Cheryl Strayed (Wild) will appreciate Hoffner’s mix of introspection and exploration.” —San Francisco Book Review (5 out of 5)

“A deeply moving memoir that explores grief, healing, and the transformative power of travel.” —Readers’ Choice Book Awards (5 stars)

“Poignant, moving, and filled with striking details about the globe’s out-of-the-way places, Belonging to the World is an uplifting celebration of life and travel.” —IndieReader (4.8/5 stars)

“Few travelogues offer this level of vulnerability and honesty with such expansive geographic and emotional range, Belonging to the World is uniquely compelling and hard to put down.” —SPR Review (★★★★½)

“Hoffner lays bare the underlying, and often overlooked, ties that bind us to each other, regardless of our origins, and transforms seemingly dead-ends into brilliant moments of meaning and purpose.” —BookLife Reviews (A)

“A whirlwind memoir of grief, discovery, and extreme travel, Belonging to the World captures renewed purpose through beauty, kindness, and adventure while visiting some of the most remote countries on earth.” —Foreword Clarion Reviews (4 out of 5)

“The memoir hones a crisp, clear set of observations and wide-ranging contrasts that are rare even in the world of adventure travel literature, placing Belonging to the World in a class of its own. Delightful in its travelogue, pointed in its psychological and philosophical observations, and totally immersive in its approach, Belonging to the World is a treasure highly recommended for libraries, individuals, and book clubs alike.” —Midwest Book Review

Reader Reviews

“Belonging to the World is much more than the story of the tragic loss of a spouse or stepping foot in every country. It is the joy of connecting to the familiar as well as the gratification of learning cultures and fellowship with our broader sense of humanity. This book is an inspiration, a map that leads the reader toward positive affirmation of change.” —Julia Roberts

“In Belonging to the World, Barry Hoffner transforms profound personal tragedy into a remarkable journey of meaning and connection. His story resonates deeply with anyone who has seen both the beauty and the brutality of the world and still chooses hope. This book is a testament to resilience, empathy, and the belief that through understanding others, we rediscover ourselves.” —Bill Browder, author of New York Times bestsellers Red Notice and Freezing Order

“Barry reminds us of the beauty of human connection and the power of using grief to reimagine instead of to detach.” —Luke Russert, author of New York Times bestseller Look for Me There

“This moment in time is our most precious resource. . . . I’m reminded of that this morning by Barry Hoffner, who writes . . . about how, after losing his wife, he decided to spend his time traveling—discovering and rediscovering places—and sharing what he learned along the way. That’s how he chose to spend his time, and I’m so glad he took the time to share his learnings with us.” —Maria Shriver, in her introduction to Hoffner’s article in the “I’ve Been Thinking” column of The Sunday Paper

“In Belonging to the World, Barry Hoffner takes the transformative nature of travel to a whole other level. He sees travel as a way to connect with others in a profound way, and, as a result, he builds schools where there are none. He builds roads to connect villages and encourages young girls to dream about a future filled with the promise of a better tomorrow. Barry inspires us to make a lasting difference in the lives of others we meet along the way. This book will encourage the reader to view travel in a new and enriching light.” —Margo Bart, president, Travelers Century Club

Author(s)

Barry Hoffner

I believe the best things in life often happen by chance. After earning my MBA from Columbia University, I worked in investment banking across the globe. A midcareer sabbatical transformed my path as I fell in love, traveled the world with my late wife, Jackie, and eventually started a family. I left finance to farm wine grapes and olives and to build my life’s work: Caravan to Class, a foundation that brings access to education for youth in West Africa. Caravan to Class’s anchor program, Bourse Jackie scholarships for young women, is named in honor of my late wife. After losing Jackie in 2017, I devoted myself to this mission and to a new chapter of exploration. I have since traveled to every country in the world. I live in Sausalito, California, and am the proud father of two adult sons, Benjamin and Daniel.

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Publisher	Girl Friday Books
Publication	Mar 03, 2026
Format	Paperback/Softback
ISBN	978-1964721415
Pages	344
Age	18 - 99
Price	$18.95