200,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿 

Overnight NZ-wide delivery | 📍 Visit our Auckland bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Evolution and Conversion

Dialogues on the Origins of Culture
By Dr René Girard
Series: Bloomsbury Revelations
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.1 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 150 ratings, 15 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Evolution and Conversion presents a series of dialogues where Dr René Girard re-examines the evolution of his philosophical ideas. The book delves into the origins of culture and religion through a reinterpretation of Christianity, addressing human desire, violence, and literature. Girard offers new perspectives on these themes and engages directly with thinkers such as Daniel Dennett and Richard Dawkins.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$4999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to readers interested in philosophy, religion, and psychology, especially those keen to explore the intersections of culture, violence, and faith through a scholarly yet approachable lens.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Evolution and Conversion explores the main tenets of René Girard's thought in a series of dialogues. Here, Girard reflects on the evolution of his thought and offers striking new insights on topics such as violence, religion, desire, and literature.

His long argument is a historical one, in which the origin of culture and religion is reunited in the contemporary world by means of a reinterpretation of Christianity and an understanding of the intrinsically violent nature of human beings. He also offers provocative re-readings of Biblical and literary texts and responds to statements by Daniel Dennett and Richard Dawkins.

Including an introduction by the authors, this is a revealing text by one of the most original thinkers of our time.

Series: Bloomsbury Revelations

View all
  • Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World
    Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World presents a highly original global theory of culture. Dr René Girard, through his profound exploration, delves into the intricate workings of human civilisation, unveiling the concealed forces that shape societies. Girard investigates the pivotal role of violence, the pervasive phenomenon of mimetic desire, and the crucial mechanism of the scapegoat in the...
    By Dr René Girard
    Paperback
    $6099
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • After Virtue
    Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue revolutionises the landscape of moral philosophy by meticulously analysing the roots and consequences of the decline in moral discourse. The narrative embarks on an intellectual journey, beginning with a bleak depiction of contemporary moral debates which, MacIntyre argues, are fragmented and incoherent. As the plot unfolds, he traces this crisis back to the Enlightenment period, claiming...
    By Alasdair MacIntyre
    Paperback
    $4999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Thousand Plateaus
    A Thousand Plateaus is the second part of Deleuze and Guattari's landmark philosophical project, Capitalism and Schizophrenia—a project that still sets the terms of contemporary philosophical debate. Written over a seven-year period, A Thousand Plateaus provides a compelling analysis of social phenomena and offers fresh alternatives for thinking about philosophy and culture. Its radical perspective provides a toolbox for ‘nomadic...
    By Felix Guattari and Gilles Deleuze
    Paperback
    $6099
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Sexual Politics of Meat - 35th Anniversary Edition
    First published in 1990, Carol J. Adams’ revolutionary work has engaged, enraged, inspired, and challenged readers with its exploration of the interplay between society’s ingrained cultural misogyny and its obsession with eating animals and masculinity. This iconic book, referenced in rock songs, feminist artwork, and even a Law and Order SVU episode, continues to change the lives of its readers...
    By Carol J. Adams
    Paperback
    $4399
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The World Crisis Volume III
    The World Crisis is considered by many to be Winston S. Churchill’s literary masterpiece. Published across five volumes between 1923 and 1931, Churchill here tells the story of The Great War, from its origins to the long shadow it cast on the following decades. At once a history and a first-hand account of Churchill’s own involvement in the war, The...
    By Sir Sir Winston S. Churchill
    Paperback
    $6099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The World Crisis Volume II
    The World Crisis is considered by many to be Winston S. Churchill’s literary masterpiece. Published across five volumes between 1923 and 1931, Churchill here tells the story of The Great War, from its origins to the long shadow it cast on the following decades. At once a history and a first-hand account of Churchill’s own involvement in the war, The...
    By Sir Sir Winston S. Churchill
    Paperback
    $6099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The World Crisis Volume I
    The World Crisis is considered by many to be Winston S. Churchill’s literary masterpiece. Published across five volumes between 1923 and 1931, Churchill tells the story of The Great War, from its origins to the long shadow it cast on the following decades. At once a history and a first-hand account of Churchill’s own involvement in the war, The World...
    By Sir Sir Winston S. Churchill
    Paperback
    $6099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Boer War
    On October 11th, 1899, long-simmering tensions between Britain and the Boer Republics - the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic - finally erupted into the conflict that would become known as the Second Boer War. Two days after the first shots were fired, a young writer by the name of Winston Churchill set out for South Africa to cover...
    By Sir Sir Winston S. Churchill
    Paperback
    $6099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Second World War
    "I am perhaps the only man who has passed through the two supreme cataclysms of recorded history in high executive office... I was in this second struggle with Germany for more than five years the head of His Majesty's Government. I write therefore from a different standpoint and with more authority than was possible in my earlier books. I do...
    By Sir Sir Winston S. Churchill and Teddy J. Uldricks
    Paperback
    $6099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Step By Step
    In the years following the Great Depression, with Germany rearming and the rise of fascism across Europe being met with a policy of appeasement from the democratic countries, Winston Churchill stood as a rare voice in the wilderness, warning of the dangers to come. Now available in the Bloomsbury Revelations series to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of...
    By Sir Sir Winston S. Churchill
    Paperback
    $6099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Language of the Third Reich
    A labourer, journalist and a professor who lived through four successive periods of German political history – from the German Empire, through the Weimar Republic and the Nazi state through to the German Democratic Republic – Victor Klemperer is regarded as one of the most vivid witnesses to a tumultuous century of European history. First published in 1957, The Language...
    By Victor Klemperer
    Paperback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Volume II
    "This history will endure; not only because Sir Winston has written it, but also because of its own inherent virtues — its narrative power, its fine judgment of war and politics, of soldiers and statesmen, and even more because it reflects a tradition of what Englishmen in the hey-day of their empire thought and felt about their country's past." The...
    By Sir Sir Winston S. Churchill
    Paperback
    $6099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised as a lively and accessible introduction to Girard's influential ideas, Evolution and Conversion is described by Theology as essential reading for those interested in religious thought. The Theological Book Review notes the book revisits and deepens concepts Girard explored decades earlier, highlighting his multidisciplinary approach to religion and violence.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781350018235

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 February 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 281g

Pages: 216

Collections

Dr René Girard Non-Fiction Philosophy & Psychology Philosophy & Stoicism Religion & Spirituality Series: Bloomsbury Revelations

About the Author

René Girard (1923-) was Andrew B. Hammond Professor Emeritus of French Language, Literature, and Civilization at Stanford University, USA, from 1981 to his retirement in 1995. A historian, literary critic and philosopher, he is the author of over 30 books including Violence and the Sacred.

Also by Dr René Girard

View all
  • Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World
    Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World presents a highly original global theory of culture. Dr René Girard, through his profound exploration, delves into the intricate workings of human civilisation, unveiling the concealed forces that shape societies. Girard investigates the pivotal role of violence, the pervasive phenomenon of mimetic desire, and the crucial mechanism of the scapegoat in the...
    By Dr René Girard
    Paperback
    $6099
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Violence and the Sacred
    Violence and the Sacred is René Girard's landmark study of human evil. Here, Girard explores violence as it is represented and occurs throughout history, literature, and myth. Girard's forceful and thought-provoking analyses of Biblical narrative, Greek tragedy, and the lynchings and pogroms propagated by contemporary states illustrate his central argument that violence belongs to everyone and is at the heart...
    By Dr René Girard
    Paperback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Browse lists from our team

The Latest at Book Hero

View all

More from Philosophy & Psychology

View all
  • Atomic Habits
    Atomic Habits by James Clear is a transformative guide that demonstrates how tiny, incremental changes in behaviour can fundamentally reshape your life. Rather than urging sweeping transformations, Clear advocates for the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions. Whether it’s performing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes earlier, or making a brief, focused phone call, these minuscule adjustments,...
    By James Clear
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Signed Copy
    New Release
    Your Time Is Now
    An inspiring guide to letting go of the past, turning inaction into action, and taking charge of your own destiny. Suzanne Paul is one of New Zealand's most cherished personalities, known for her unwavering positivity. Over the last twenty years in her work as a motivational speaker, she has taught people around the country how to overcome setbacks and take...
    By Suzanne Paul
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four
    In the drab and oppressive world of 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell introduces us to Winston Smith, a man haunted by the omnipresent surveillance and control exercised by the Party and its enigmatic leader, Big Brother. Winston works diligently at the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to alter historical records to fit the ever-changing narrative dictated by the...
    By George Orwell
    Paperback
    $1299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • How Lucky Am I
    How Lucky Am I
    The first full book featuring social media sensation Mr. Skelly, with over 5 million global followers, a skeleton who teaches us that life is a gift to be treasured, reminding us how lucky we all are to live in this present moment. For readers of The Book of Gifts and The Little Frog’s Guide to Self Care. In this poignant,...
    By Christian Watson
    Hardback
    $4299
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Daily Stoic
    The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman offers an enriching journey through the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, distilled into a format meant for modern readers' daily use. This compelling book is structured as a day-by-day guide, bringing wisdom, insight, and guidance from esteemed Stoic philosophers like Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius directly to your life. Each day unveils...
    By Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Happiness Trap
    Free yourself from depression, anxiety, and insecurity, and instead, build a rich and meaningful life with the world's best-selling guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Over 1 million copies sold! The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris is an illuminating and transformative guide designed to help readers navigate the challenging landscape of modern life. As an expert in ACT,...
    By Doctor Russ Harris
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The DOSE Effect
    The DOSE Effect offers small habits to boost your brain chemistry. "This book will help you find more motivation, create deeper connections, energise your body, and destress your mind," says Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk. Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Today’s fast-paced world leaves many of us struggling with extreme emotional highs...
    By TJ Power
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Winner's Formula
    The Neuroscience of Peak Performance, Success, and Happiness Why do some people win all the time? Why do others languish? From Olympians to Formula 1 drivers, addicts to billionaires, cognitive neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman has spent decades working to help people understand how to succeed. In The Winner's Formula, Kerry explains what goes on in your brain when you are...
    By Kerry Spackman
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Courage to be Disliked
    The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga presents an enlightening and thought-provoking dialogue between a philosopher and a young man disillusioned with life. In a series of conversations, the philosopher introduces the principles of Alfred Adler's psychology, advocating for personal empowerment and mental freedom. Through this engaging dialogue, the young man learns to confront the societal...
    By Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Dylan's Pick Dylan's Pick
    Lessons on Living
    Bestselling author Nigel Latta's simple psychological toolkit for life's ups and downs. Over thirty years working as a clinical psychologist, Nigel Latta assembled a personal toolkit based on three simple principles. These principles helped him to be more resilient, joyful, and attuned to what matters most. The same principles have helped him through some difficult times as well, such as...
    By Nigel Latta
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Creative Act
    Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day and then ages out. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed...
    By Rick Rubin
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Eve's Pick Eve's Pick
    Aroha
    Aroha by Dr Hinemoa Elder is an enlightening exploration of timeless Maori wisdom, intricately woven into a contemporary context. This top-selling non-fiction title from New Zealand in 2021 introduces readers to 52 traditional Maori proverbs, known as whakataukī, each offering a profound lesson for every week of the year. Dr Elder, a respected Maori psychiatrist, delves into these powerful sayings...
    By Dr Hinemoa Elder
    Hardback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 190,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.