This unique monograph comprises a collection of interviews conducted face-to-face with leading economists at universities throughout the United States. Presented with the singular opportunity to reflect on and share their wisdom and experience, the 21 interviewees discuss how they interpret, understand and practice their role as teachers. In addition to providing lessons that will inform the way others teach, the interviews shatter the illusion that teaching and research are strictly independent and competing activities.The Heart of Teaching Economics serves not only as a welcome resource for scholars and students of economics, but as a guidebook - and inspiration - for those who will help to shape the minds of future economists.With Contributions from: Simon W. Bowmaker, Luis Cabral, David Cutler, William Easterly, Barry Eichengreen, Nancy Folbre, Robert Frank, David Friedman, Edward Glaeser, Robert J. Gordon, William Greene, Shoshana Grossbard, Gene Grossman, Daniel Hamermesh, Caroline Hoxby, David Laibson, Steven Landsburg, John List, Steven Medema, Frederic Mishkin, Benjamin Polak, John B. Taylor