This work investigates how five pivotal figures in the avant-garde movement redefined the boundaries of artistic expression and influenced the trajectory of contemporary art. Calvin Tomkins, a long-time staff writer for The New Yorker, utilizes his extensive access and observational reporting to profile these artists. He constructs a framework that highlights their interconnected creative philosophies and their collective departure from traditional aesthetic norms. The text serves as a historical record of how these individuals challenged the definition of art through their collaborative and individual practices.

Critics and art historians frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the shift toward conceptual art in the 20th century. Readers often note the accessible, journalistic prose style that makes complex artistic theories understandable for a general audience.