We began with the idea that an introductory economics course should be taught as if it is the last economics class a student will ever take. The best way to teach economics is to focus on a few key concepts and ideas and apply them repeatedly in different circumstances. We start the book with the five key principles of economics and then apply them throughout the book. This approach provides students with the big picture -- the framework of economic reasoning. We have kept the writing lean, the examples lively and topical, and the visuals exciting. - Preface.