A new selection of foundational works from the influential philosopher who developed the theory of mimetic desireWhy do humans have such a remarkable capacity for conflict From ancient foundational myths to the modern era the visionary thinker Rene Girard identified the constant competing desires at the heart of our existence desires that we copy from others igniting a contagious violence. This remarkable and accessible new selection of Girards work shows him as a writer for our times as he ranges over human imitation and rivalry herd behaviour scapegoating and how our violent longings play out in stories from Shakespeare to religion. The explosion of social media the resurgence of populism and the increasing virulence of reciprocal violence all suggest that the contemporary world is becoming more and more recognizably Girardian in its behaviour The New York Review of BooksEdited with an Introduction by Cynthia L. Haven