A brief, personal guide to major works of literature, music, and other arts.

Debut author Fallquist explains at the outset of this work that the text is a collection of lists highlighting classic creations that readers should consider checking out; the author asserts that “these lists will make it easier to survey, absorb, and share these brilliant and beautiful works.” Fallquist observes that many people go through life encountering allusions to classic works but don’t realize “that they are in fact allusions at all.” In addition to the works that appear on the lists, the book offers supporting material, such as recommended YouTube videos that can assist readers in understanding the plot of a play by Shakespeare or help them make sense of the life of writer William Faulkner. The book kicks off with a look at some cultural products from the ancient Greek and Roman worlds; readers are encouraged to take in classical texts like Sophocles’Antigone or Plato’s The Republic, both of which provide insight into “the way philosophy and justice shape a society.” Further chapters move forward through time to cover topics including opera, post-modern literature, and masterpiece paintings. The author maintains an informal, enthusiastic tone throughout. Extolling the joys of reading old books, he reminds readers that “any book you haven’t read is new to you.” A section on plays assures readers, “There are so many exceptional works!” Fallquist expresses his enthusiasm for Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virigina Woolf? with the observation that “This play was original in its use of dialogue, where words are weapons…and what words they are!” While the lists are inviting and enjoyable to peruse, readers are unlikely to uncover many hidden gems; the average person seems likely to at least have heard of figures such as Mozart and Shakespeare. Still, the book effectively encourages engagement with works that have stood the test of time.

A cheerful tour of famous cultural artifacts.