By: Santiago Miller
After spending five decades as a consulting actuary, Richard Fallquist found himself with something he rarely had during his professional career: time. Time to explore ideas, revisit interests, and finally dive into the works of literature, art, and music that had always intrigued him but often felt out of reach.
That personal journey became the foundation for his book, Great Works and Me: Enhancing Your Life with Classics, Lit, Music, and Art, a guide designed to help people discover timeless creative works without feeling overwhelmed by where to begin.
For Richard, the path into the classics was not driven by academic ambition. It started with curiosity. After retirement, he began exploring classical fiction by gathering recommendations, watching educational videos, and creating his own process for discovering works that had stood the test of time.
What began as a personal project eventually became something he wanted to share with others.
“I wanted to share what I’d come to enjoy of my approach,” Richard explains.
Finding a Simple Way Into the Classics
For many people, the words “classic literature” or “great works” can immediately create a sense of intimidation. The names are familiar, but the entry point often feels unclear. Where should someone start? Which books matter most? How can someone appreciate these works without spending years studying them?
Richard recognized that barrier because he experienced it himself.
Rather than approaching the classics as a requirement or obligation, he created a system based on exploration and enjoyment. His approach combines short introductions, curated recommendations, and additional resources that allow readers to discover works at their own pace.
The goal was never to make people feel like they needed a degree in literature, art history, or music appreciation before they could participate. Instead, Richard wanted to make these cultural treasures feel accessible.
The result is a book that invites readers to explore rather than simply analyze.
How an Actuary’s Mind Shaped a Creative Journey
At first glance, the world of actuarial science and the world of art and literature may seem far apart. Richard sees a connection.
His career required structure, organization, and the ability to make sense of complex information. Those same skills influenced the way he approached discovering and presenting great works.
“I have always enjoyed lists,” Richard says.
That simple habit became one of the defining elements of his book. Each chapter follows a consistent structure, offering context, recommended resources, and selections that reflect his personal discoveries.
The organization gives readers a starting point while still leaving room for individual exploration. It mirrors the way Richard himself approached the classics: with curiosity, structure, and a willingness to follow interesting paths.
Retirement as a Time for Discovery
Many people view retirement as a period of slowing down. For Richard, it became an opportunity to expand his world.
Without the demands of a consulting career taking up his time, he was able to finally explore the early classics he had admired from a distance for years.
There was something meaningful about returning to these works later in life. The experience was not simply about reading famous books or checking titles off a list. It was about seeing how these stories, ideas, and creative achievements continue to connect with modern life.
The classics remained relevant because they explore experiences that never really disappear: ambition, love, conflict, loss, identity, and the search for meaning.
The Works That Left a Lasting Impression
Throughout his exploration, Richard discovered countless works that shaped his perspective.
Among his favorites are stories like Homer’s Odyssey, with its themes of endurance and the journey home, and Virgil’s Aeneid, with its powerful exploration of destiny and sacrifice. He also found inspiration in Shakespeare’s Richard III, James Joyce’s Ulysses, William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom!, and Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea.
His interests expanded beyond literature into visual art and music, including the works of Picasso, Raphael, Bach, and Chopin.
What stands out is not only the variety of works Richard explored, but the personal connection he developed with them. Great works are not valuable simply because they are considered important. They become meaningful when they create a conversation with the person experiencing them.
Making Culture More Personal
One of Richard’s biggest motivations for writing Great Works and Me was helping others realize that engaging with important works does not have to feel like a formal exercise.
The classics are not preserved behind glass. They are living conversations that continue across generations.
A novel written centuries ago can still reveal something about human nature. A piece of music can still create an emotional response. A painting can still challenge the way someone sees the world.
Richard’s own experience proves that discovering these works does not have to happen at a specific age or stage of life. Sometimes the right moment comes when there is finally enough space to appreciate them.
A Lifelong Curiosity That Continues
Richard Fallquist’s journey from consulting actuary to author reflects a larger idea: personal growth does not stop when a career ends.
His book is ultimately about curiosity, exploration, and the belief that there is always something new to discover.
By creating a roadmap through literature, music, and art, Richard hopes readers will feel encouraged to begin their own journey into the great works that have shaped culture for generations.
The message is simple: you do not need to know everything before you begin. You only need enough curiosity to take the first step.
For anyone curious about where to begin, Fallquist’s Great Works and Me offers a browsable path through literature, music, and art, with room to explore at any pace. The book is available on Amazon.
