Finite reductive groups and their representations lie at the heart of goup theory. After representations of finite general linear groups were determined by Green (1955), the subject was revolutionized by the introduction of constructions from l-adic cohomology by Deligne-Lusztig (1976) and by the approach of character-sheaves by Lusztig (1985). The theory now also incorporates the methods of Brauer for the linear representations of finite groups in arbitrary characteristic and the methods of representations of algebras. It has become one of the most active fields of contemporary mathematics. The present volume reflects the richness of the work of experts gathered at an international conference held in Luminy. Linear representations of finite reductive groups (Aubert, Curtis-Shoji, Lehrer, Shoji) and their modular aspects Cabanes Enguehard, Geck-Hiss) go side by side with many related structures: Hecke algebras associated with Coxeter groups (Ariki, Geck-Rouquier, Pfeiffer), complex reflection groups (Broué-Michel, Malle), quantum groups and Hall algebras (Green), arithmetic groups (Vignéras), Lie groups (Cohen-Tiep), symmetric groups (Bessenrodt-Olsson), and general finite groups (Puig). With the illuminating introduction by Paul Fong, the present volume forms the best invitation to the field.