In "René Girard's Mimetic Theory," Wolfgang Palaver offers an enlightening expedition into the complex web of desires, conflicts, and resolutions that shape human culture and individual behavior, guided by the pioneering insights of René Girard. With meticulous clarity, Palaver unravels the three foundational pillars of mimetic theory—mimetic desire, the scapegoat mechanism, and the Biblical "difference"—employing a rich tapestry of examples from the annals of literature and philosophy. This book not only serves as a comprehensive introduction to Girard’s groundbreaking ideas but also illuminates the profound existential and spiritual revelations that underpin them, tracing the contours of Girard's thought from his critique of modernity to his exploration of the mimetic roots of violence and the sacred. Beyond the theoretical framework, Palaver skillfully situates Girard's concepts within the tumultuous landscape of contemporary cultural and political debates, addressing pressing issues such as sovereignty, terrorism, capital punishment, and gender dynamics. Through a careful selection of textual examples from European giants like Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, and Proust, alongside philosophical dialogues with figures like Plato and Sartre, the book not only demonstrates the ubiquity of mimetic structures across time but also highlights the potential of Girard's theory to offer fresh perspectives on enduring human dilemmas. This accessible yet profound text serves as both an indispensable guide for those new to Girard's work and a rich resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of mimetic theory's relevance to the modern world, complemented by an extensive bibliographical archive that charts the evolution and ongoing discussions of Girardian thought.