Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Biography [Hardcover]

Pierre Assouline (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

The first full biography ever published—a vivid portrait of this complex, curious, brilliant man.

The twentieth century was the century of the image—and Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) was the eye of the century. Through the decades, this eye focused on Africa in the 1920s, the tragic fate of the Spanish Republicans, and the victory of the Chinese Communists. It was Cartier-Bresson who fixed in our minds the features of his contemporaries: Giacometti and Sartre as characters from their own works; Mauriac mysteriously levitating; Faulkner, Matisse, Camus, and countless others captured at the decisive moment in portraits for eternity.

An intensely private individual, Cartier-Bresson confided in his close friend Pierre Assouline over a number of years, even opening up his archives to him. Here, for the first time, we read about his youthful devotion to surrealism; his unending passion for drawing; the war and the prison camps; the friends and the women in his life. Assouline provides an acute and perceptive account of the life and philosophy of this icon of our times, and gives us an opportunity to reassess his contribution to twentieth-century photography and reportage. 23 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Often called the father of photojournalism, Cartier-Bresson tried to give up photography as a profession four times in his life, returning to his first love, painting, repeatedly—but he always kept his Leica in his pocket. The Frenchman captured the emotion and magnitude of some of the 20th century's most significant news stories by simply turning his camera away from the main event and into the crowd. This, too, is Assouline's approach to biography. Drawing on five years of conversations with his subject, Assouline presents not a chronological or critical accounting of events but a portrait, illustrated through descriptions of Cartier-Bresson's photographs (almost none of which are reproduced in the book) and summarized with generalizations of the artist's approach toward art and life: "His taste was classical: he needed that kind of order to counter the vulgarity of the world outside" or "In affairs of the heart, he was a seductive romantic." Energetic and informative passages describe Cartier-Bresson's years as a soldier and his travels to the Ivory Coast, China and India (where he photographed Gandhi just hours before his death). Despite its gaps—such as mere passing references to Cartier-Bresson's two marriages—this smooth hagiography will inspire fans and followers to rediscover its elusive subject's remarkable oeuvre. (Nov. 28)
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About the Author

Pierre Assouline has written several biographies of major cultural figures, among them books on Georges Simenon and Hergé.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 050051223X
• ISBN-13: 978-0500512234
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #599,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Decisive Biography?, November 30, 2005

By 

Ricardo (New York City) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Biography (Hardcover)

I'm surprised to be the first reviewer of a biography of one of the worlds most revered photographers.

There are two reasons why I have given this book only three stars.

The first is the lack of photographs. Oh, there are plenty of photos OF Cartier-Bresson, but none BY Cartier-Bresson.
Although Assouline describes some of HCB's work, there are no examples.

Do Assouline and the publisher actually believe that everyone who reads this book is so familiar with HCB that they've memorized his work? More likely they have chosen not to pay the royalties.

The second reason is my disappointment with the almost complete lack of insight into the photographer's thoughts. There's plenty of information about his political beliefs (more than needed in my opinion) but nowhere does one find an explanation of what motivated him to press the shutter release.

These shortcomings aside, this is an immensely readable book. Not only does it go into the details of HCB's life, but it puts them into historical perspective. Cartier-Bresson was present at, and often involved in, some of the most important events of the 20th century.

I would have prefered a bit more detail regarding his time spent as a German prisoner of war during WWII. His meeting with Gandhi shortly before the Mahatma's death was also glossed over.

I got the feeling that Assouline was being extraordinarly kind. There is very little mention of HCB's famous temper or acerbic tongue. That would be fine if this were simply a photography book, but it's supposed to be a biography.

Being a long-time fan of Cartier-Bresson's work I did get a lot of enjoyment out of the book. I'm also familiar enough with his work that the lack of photographs wasn't a hardship. However, unless you intimately know HCB's work, you may want to familiarize yourself with it BEFORE reading the bio.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A misunderstood book., March 19, 2007

By 

Frizzante - See all my reviews

This review is from: Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Biography (Hardcover)

This book has been somewhat unfairly reviewed.

I have just read this fine book from cover to cover. Whilst I found it worthy of 4 stars, I have to agree that it has some weaknesses.

- The book really should have some of the photos to which the text often refers.

- The author has assumed that readers have a good knowledge of Henri and his work.

It is not a perfect book, BUT it is a very good book, IF you already have a good idea of Cartier-Bresson's life-story and life's work.

If you are an awe-inspired follower of Henri's photography, as I am, and have a good knowledge of his photos from reading and looking at his many books, you will find this an informative, enjoyable and satisfying read.

If you were to read this in conjunction with a book that includes his most important photo's, such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Photographer, you would be able to gain a great deal from reading this book.

However this is a book for the well-prepared.

I found the many anecdotes and quotations entertaining. They gave me a clearer insight into the man's life and his genius.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book., February 6, 2010

By 

J.B. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Biography (Hardcover)

For anyone who is aspiring to be a photographer or simply enjoys photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson is well-known legend in this realm of art. This book is great in all aspects-it tells of his beginnings, and tribulations, but also shares inspiring stories and words. It follows him throughout his life, and the events that affected his art. This book is not a short book, and can take some time to read. But if you like reading and enjoy this artist very much, you might not be able to put this book down. All around great book to read.