With his fiery, inspirational speeches, tireless championing of workers, and strong support for grassroots organizations, Robert "Fighting Bob" La Follette is an almost mythical figure in politics, the type of idealized leader that unfortunately appears more often in fiction than in real government. As a U.S. representative, governor, and U.S. senator, La Follette left enduring political legacies: direct election of senators, child labor laws, environmental protections, women's suffrage, and workers' compensation. La Follette led the opposition to American entry into World War I and made a remarkable third-party bid for the presidency in 1924. Under his leadership, Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to enact many reforms, cementing a lasting reputation for progressive leanings among its citizens and government. But Fighting Bob's righteous fervor was not without consequence, and he suffered financially, physically, and emotionally from the enormous pressure he exerted on himself.