Academic Endorsements
Theology Scholars
“John Ebrahimian’s introduction to mimetic theory is outstanding for its warm, lively, conversational tone and for its memorable, illustrative examples. Reading it, one is easily drawn into an atmosphere that recalls Ebrahimian’s own life-changing talks with René Girard on topics that affect us all: love, desire, envy, violence, redemption. Highly recommended.”
—Ann W. Astell
John Cardinal O’Hara Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame
“A conversational tone from its first pages. Whether you settle in with this book over a morning cup of Joe or select it from your nightstand, your curiosity about big topics in human life—love, war, envy, and violence—will be rewarded. How Violence Works explains how desire in human life leads to conflict and violence but also is capable of producing good. Offering examples from daily life, popular culture, and well-known works of literature, the book invites you to think more deeply about your own life in order to replace envy and rivalry with compassionate relationships. A timely and welcome contribution to books about mimetic theory.”
—Martha J. Reineke
Professor of Religion Emeritus, University of Northern Iowa
Literature Professors
“As the extraordinary work of theorist René Girard becomes more widely known, the need for a clear, user-friendly, introductory account of each of his major ideas—with extended materials for further critical study—becomes increasingly pressing. With chapters on mimetic desire, on collective violence and the scapegoat mechanism, and on the role of Jewish and Christian scriptural texts in addressing these topics in ancient and modern cultural settings, this exciting book fills that need superbly.”
—Sandor Goodhart
Professor Emeritus of English and Jewish Studies, Purdue University
Academic Journals & Publications
“Clear, useful, and honest. Never wavers from Girard’s directive: ‘We search for the truth; nothing else matters.'”
—William A. Johnsen
Editor, Contagion: Journal of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion. Professor, Department of English, Michigan State University
What Makes This Book Special
Accessibility
“This guide to René Girard for ‘newbies’ sets a conversational tone from its first pages.”
Practical Application
“The book invites you to think more deeply about your own life in order to replace envy and rivalry with compassionate relationships.”
Scholarly Rigor
“With extended materials for further critical study… this exciting book fills that need superbly.”
Personal Connection
“Reading it, one is easily drawn into an atmosphere that recalls Ebrahimian’s own life-changing talks with René Girard.”
Departments and Courses That Can Benefit Using This Book
- Philosophy Departments using it as primary text for courses on human nature
- Religious Studies incorporating it into peace studies curricula
- Literature Programs exploring mimetic theory in canonical works
- Psychology Courses examining desire and rivalry in human behavior
- Peace Studies Programs analyzing conflict resolution through mimetic lens
- Anthropology understand how people gather and create scapegoats to create order in their communities
- Ancient and Contemporary Literature how they differ and how they are similar
- Shakespeare studies finding memetic theory in the works of Shakespeare
Book Club Discussion Guide
- University courses
- Book clubs
- Discussion groups
- Individual reflection
Continue the Conversation
Ready to explore mimetic theory yourself?
Want to book Dr. Ebrahimian for your event?