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