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Romanticism, not in terms of courtship and bouquets\xa0of roses, but as a philosophical\xa0approach to life which blossomed in the 19th century, embodies many tenets, including a nostalgia\xa0for the past, a heroic view of the world, a firm sense of right and wrong, and the idea that an individual can shape his own destiny, as well as have an outsized\xa0impact on the\xa0world.\n\nIt is through this lens of Romanticism, my guest says, that we can best understand one of the most memorable, influential, and legendary figures in American history: Theodore\xa0Roosevelt. His name is H. W. Brands, and he's a professor of history and the author of numerous books and biographies, including\xa0T.R.: The Last Romantic. Today on the show, Bill explains how Teddy Roosevelt was one of the last bearers of the Romantic\xa0spirit, where his Romanticism came from, how that spirit motivated him to push and challenge himself from boyhood 'til\xa0death, led him both to egoistic excesses and worthy, epic deeds, and influenced everything\xa0from his familial relationships\xa0to his time as president to his second and third acts in life.\xa0\n\nGet the show notes at aom.is/rooseveltromantic.