"A Saga of Bravery and Risk-Taking" — Midwest Book Review Features 'Off Course on Purpose'

I am thrilled to share some wonderful news regarding my memoir, Off Course on Purpose. We recently received a pre-publication draft of a review slated for the May 2026 issues of both the Midwest Book Review and Donovan’s Literary Services.

It is an honor to have the journey—from walking out of high school in 1995 to chasing world championship titles—recognized by such esteemed voices in the literary community. The review beautifully captures the essence of what I hoped to convey: that life’s most profound lessons often come when we have the courage to step off the traditional path.

Below is the full review by Diane Donovan.

Book Review: Off Course on Purpose

Reviewer: D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review / Editor, Donovan's Literary Services

Off Course on Purpose is a memoir about Bill Berry’s course in life, which seemed limited and on a downhill trajectory when he walked out of high school in 1995 into a dead-end job. Life was just beginning as he turned his passion for juggling into something more and found himself on a round-the-world journey, winning multiple world championship titles and combining travel with achievement.

As his life unfolds, alternate ways of thinking, making choices, and embracing life offer readers invaluable lessons in adaptation, change, and embarking on different courses – such as juggling or sword swallowing.

The life reflections that permeate his story form the meat of a survey which enriches with thought-provoking observations about other countries and what it means to be an American:

It occurred to me that for people living outside the U.S., these shows might be all they know about the USA. Jerry Springer: Americans are ignorant and violent. Cops: Americans are addicted, lawless, and violent. Travel: Come and visit this beautiful place, and while you’re visiting, try not to be attacked or robbed by our ignorant, lawless, addicted, violent people. This depiction of the USA felt unfair, like a cheap caricature of our culture, and nothing like the USA I knew.

How other cultures are assessed by their media and image and individuals are judged by their choices and appearance blend into the life story of a man who succeeded against all odds, making for an especially thought-provoking reflection on giving up convention and embracing the unexpected:

I recognized it for what it was, a step backward, and I didn’t want that. Sure, it’d be easy, but I didn’t sign up for easy. I signed up for a life that is bigger. Just get rid of it, came the thought, remove it from possibility, just like when I quit all my jobs to pursue performing full-time.

Many aspire to operate outside of safety nets, but few accounts follow the process of how this can be achieved. Off Course on Purpose’s mindful, purposeful reflection on how bravery is rewarded and risk-taking embraced creates a compelling saga of one man’s venture into the performance and entertainment world as he learns new skills and satisfies audiences.

Off Course on Purpose will also attract audiences with its uplifting account of never stopping, never giving up on one’s dreams, and reaching for the stars.

Librarians and readers seeking inspirational accounts of growth and risk-taking will relish how both emerge in the course of extraordinary life opportunities that at first don’t seem special, but grow to impart key life lessons.

Suitable for book club and group discussions about life, growth, and opportunity, Off Course on Purpose reveals not just a life well-lived, but one that promises more joy and achievement than “on course” traditional options would have provided.

Get Your Copy

If you are looking for a story about embracing the unexpected and finding mastery outside of the safety net, you can find Off Course on Purp Purose here. (Available Late Summer 2026)

Thank you to Diane Donovan and the Midwest Book Review for these kind words and for supporting independent authors!