'Are you a freshly minted economics PhD, dumped clueless in front of your first class? Or are you an experienced and good teacher, trying to raise your game to the next level? In either case, this book offers you a whole course of master classes. Simon Bowmaker deserves the economics profession's thanks for bringing together these gems of ideas and suggestions from our best practitioners of the art of teaching.' - Avinash Dixit, Princeton UniversityThis 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

This highly innovative and intriguing book applies principles of microeconomics to unusual settings to inspire students, teachers and scholars alike in the 'dismal science'. Leading experts show how economics reaches into the strangest of places and throws light onto the occasionally dark side of human nature. 'Sins and Needles' examines the economics of drug addiction, prohibition and liberalization; 'Guns and Roses' looks at the contribution economists can make to understanding crime as well as marriage and divorce; 'Body and Soul' investigates the economics of pornography, prostitution, suicide and religion; 'Conception and Rejection' explores the controversial economics of assisted reproduction and abortion; and 'Fun and Games' considers the economics of sport, gambling and music. Not only does Economics Uncut illustrate how economics can be used to promote our understanding of a broad range of human behaviour, but it also draws upon research conducted in other disciplines from the social sciences. As such, this fascinating and highly accessible book will be of great interest to academics, students and researchers in economics, criminology, sociology, and psychology alike

'In this book, Simon Bowmaker offers a remarkable collection of conversations with leading economists about research in economics. He has selected a broad sample of the great economists of our time, including people whose perspectives span most of the major subdivisions of economics research, from micro to macro, from theoretical to empirical, from rationalist to behavioral.' - From the foreword by Roger B. Myerson, University of Chicago and 2007 Nobel Laureate in Economics 'The Art and Practice of Economics Research is the book I wish I had when I was ''growing up'' as an economist. For anyone who is or wants to be an economic researcher, or anyone just interested in how economics ''works'', this is a terrific and inspirational resource.' - David K. Levine, Washington University in St. Louis 'It is hard to imagine an economist in the world who would not enjoy this book. It is fascinating, gripping, and full of the wisdom imparted by age and by scholarly life's ups and downs.' - Andrew J. Oswald, University of Warwick, UK 'Although each has followed his or her own road, these scholars share a passion for economics and a commitment to the research enterprise. The best economists lie sleepless, gripped by their questions.' - Joshua Angrist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 'This is a wonderful book of interviews with some of the most respected economists in the world. It is full of insights into academic life, and clearly conveys the joy of doing economics research.' - Jon Levin, Stanford University 'The relaxed frame of the interviews gives interested parties exciting insights into the thoughts and concerns of leading economists and might well inspire some of the best young minds to continue with economics in their later lives.' - Ernst Fehr, University of Zurich, Switzerland The Art and Practice of Economics Research provides an in-depth look into the research methods of leading economists from across the United States and Europe. This innovative volume contains 25 interviews with practicing economists, presenting insightful personal accounts into an often-misunderstood field. Contributors to this volume were asked to reflect on their own experience in economics research, including their methods of working, the process of scientific discovery and knowledge creation, and the challenges of successfully disseminating their work. The unique and compelling interview format showcases each contributor's personal connection to his or her work, presenting a view of current economics research that is technical, comprehensive, and refreshingly human. Both students and current scholars in economics will find much to admire in this book's window into the inner workings of some of the brightest and best-known minds in the field. This volume also makes a great companion to the author's 2010 book, The Heart of Teaching Economics, which showcases the personal experiences of teachers and professors of economics.

This highly innovative and intriguing book applies principles of microeconomics to unusual settings to inspire students, teachers and scholars alike in the 'dismal science'. Leading experts show how economics reaches into the strangest of places and throws light onto the occasionally dark side of human nature. 'Sins and Needles' examines the economics of drug addiction, prohibition and liberalization; 'Guns and Roses' looks at the contribution economists can make to understanding crime as well as marriage and divorce; 'Body and Soul' investigates the economics of pornography, prostitution, suicide and religion; 'Conception and Rejection' explores the controversial economics of assisted reproduction and abortion; and 'Fun and Games' considers the economics of sport, gambling and music. Not only does Economics Uncut illustrate how economics can be used to promote our understanding of a broad range of human behaviour, but it also draws upon research conducted in other disciplines from the social sciences. As such, this fascinating and highly accessible book will be of great interest to academics, students and researchers in economics, criminology, sociology, and psychology alike

'Are you a freshly minted economics PhD, dumped clueless in front of your first class? Or are you an experienced and good teacher, trying to raise your game to the next level? In either case, this book offers you a whole course of master classes. Simon Bowmaker deserves the economics profession's thanks for bringing together these gems of ideas and suggestions from our best practitioners of the art of teaching.' - Avinash Dixit, Princeton UniversityThis 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