In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the work of Rene<br>Girard, thought by many to be one of the most important, if<br>controversial, cultural theorists of the twentieth century. Girard's<br>work is extraordinarily innovative and wide-ranging, cutting across<br>central concerns in philosophy, psychoanalysis, literary theory,<br>anthropology, theology, and sociology.<br><br><br>In this much-needed introduction, Chris Fleming traces the development<br>of Girard's thought over forty years, describing the context in which he<br>worked and his influence on a number of disciplines. He unpacks the<br>hypotheses at the centre of Girard's thought - mimetic desire, surrogate<br>victimage and scapegoating, myth, ritual, and the sacred - and provides<br>an assessment of Girard's place in the contemporary academy.<br><br>Comprehensive and clearly written, this book constitutes an excellent<br>overview of Girard's work and is essential reading for students and<br>researchers in continental philosophy, theology, literary studies, French studies,<br>and cultural studies.