The book is a refreshed edition of Henri Cartier-Bresson's volume from The Aperture Masters of Photography series, featuring an introduction by curator Clément Chéroux. It offers new commentary and a chronology of Cartier-Bresson's life, highlighting his impact on photography. Originally part of The History of Photography series in 1976, the volume was first edited by Robert Delpire and Michael Hoffman. This updated version preserves the original image selection, showcasing Cartier-Bresson's celebrated spontaneity and intuition. The book honors the collaboration between Cartier-Bresson and Delpire, reflecting on the photographer's iconic status in the field.