• The author found solace in reading and revisiting classic literature and memoirs as a way to cope with political disillusionment.
• He explored diverse genres, including travel writing, historical biographies, mysteries, and books about books, broadening his perspective.
• The author's renewed engagement with literature inspired him to return to writing, focusing on topics like Mark Twain's views on politics.

Following a period of political disillusionment, the author turned to literature as a means of coping and finding perspective. He explored a wide range of books, including Freya Stark's travelogues, Timothy D'Arch Smith's memoir about working in a rare-book store, Geoffrey Scott's biography of Isabelle de Charrière, and various works of fiction and non-fiction. This immersion in literature helped him to process his feelings and eventually return to writing.

• What: The author describes his personal journey of coping with political disillusionment by immersing himself in various books and literary works.
• Who: Michael Dirda (author), Freya Stark, Timothy D’Arch Smith, Geoffrey Scott, Isabelle de Charrière, James Boswell, Benjamin Constant, Germaine de Staël, Leon Edel, James Lees-Milne, M.P. Shiel, Richard Marsh, J.M. Barrie, Rafael Sabatini, Emmuska Orczy, P.C. Wren, E.F. Benson, Saki, Robert Louis Stevenson, H. Rider Haggard, H.G. Wells, Edith Nesbit, Rudyard Kipling, P.G. Wodehouse, John Buchan, Algernon Blackwood, William Dalrymple, S.J. Rozan, John Shen Yen Nee, Bertrand Russell, Dora Russell, Bonnie MacBird, Mark O’Neill, David Dodge, C. Daly King, Rebecca Romney, Henry Wessells, Charlotte Brontë, Patti Smith, Barbara Heritage, Edward Gorey, Tom Fitzharris, Noel Rubinton, Ron Chernow, Mark Twain.
• When: The period immediately following January 20th. Mentions 'the first six weeks after Jan. 20'. Includes book publication dates.
• Where: Primarily focused on the author's personal experience and literary explorations, referencing locations like Persia (Iran), London, and Britain.

The author's personal account provides insight into how literature can serve as a refuge and a source of strength during times of political turmoil. By engaging with diverse literary works, the author not only coped with his disillusionment but also gained new perspectives and found inspiration to return to writing. The references to specific authors and books offer a glimpse into the author's intellectual journey and the enduring power of literature to provide solace and understanding.

What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

The author's journey through political disillusionment highlights the enduring power of literature to provide solace, perspective, and inspiration. By immersing himself in a variety of books, he found a way to cope with his emotions and ultimately return to writing, reaffirming the importance of intellectual engagement in navigating challenging times.