The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd Ed. 2nd Edition

by Edward R. Tufte (Author)

742 ratings

in Mathematical Analysis

ISBN-13: 978-0961392147

ISBN-10: 9780961392147

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The classic book on statistical graphics, charts, tables. Theory and practice in the design of data graphics, 250 illustrations of the best (and a few of the worst) statistical graphics, with detailed analysis of how to display data for precise, effective, quick analysis. Design of the high-resolution displays, small multiples. Editing and improving graphics. The data-ink ratio. Time-series, relational graphics, data maps, multivariate designs. Detection of graphical deception: design variation vs. data variation. Sources of deception. Aesthetics and data graphical displays. This is the second edition of The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. This edition provides excellent color reproductions of the many graphics of William Playfair, adds color to other images, and includes all the changes and corrections accumulated during 17 printings of the first edition.

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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0961392142
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Graphics Press; 2nd edition (February 14, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780961392147
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0961392147
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11 x 9 x 1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #9,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Mathematical Analysis (Books)
- #3 in Statistics (Books)
- #12 in Economics (Books)

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742 ratings

About the author

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Edward R. Tufte

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Statistician/visualizer/artist Edward Tufte is Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Statistics, and Computer Science at Yale University. He wrote, designed, and self-published 5 classic books on data visualization.

The New York Times described Tufte as the "Leonardo da Vinci of data," and Bloomberg as the "Galileo of graphics."

Having completed his book Seeing With Fresh Eyes: Meaning, Space, Data, Truth, ET is now constructing a 234-acre tree farm and sculpture park in northwest Connecticut, which will show his artworks and remain open space in perpetuity.

He founded Graphics Press, ET Modern Gallery/Studio, and Hogpen Hill Farms.

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4 star		12%
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2 star		3%
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ChrisBH

Great insights, excellent principles, a bit mind-blowing :)

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2018

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I bought this book as it was recommended reading by an excel MVP (I'm on a bit of an excel learning binge) in addition to a few others by Stephen Few. Though the cover of this book was the most "bland" of them all I ended up reading the intro and the first chapter and becoming very interested in the ideas on the visual presentation of (quantitative) data, particularly the graphic showing the number of troops that Napoleon started and ended with on his campaign into Russia (I wasn't even sure of what multi-variate data was but I soon gained an appreciation for its proper presentation).

As each chapter went on I became even more interested in the material that was presented as it seemed very logical and intuitive. I especially enjoyed Professor Tufte's guidelines on maximizing the "data-ink" and minimizing "non data-ink", and was amazed at how he applied these guidelines to graphs I have been using and teaching for many years, making them seem simpler and not as cluttered even if he suggested the "unthinkable" by leaving out gridlines or piece of the axes.

I must admit that I am a bit skeptical about leaving out grid-lines when I produce graphs in excel but I appreciate that making them lighter really helps to de-clutter a graph. But I was totally blown away by how he simplified box and whisker diagrams into quartile plots and how he even removed portions of the vertical and horizontal axis making the graphs easier to read and somewhat more informative.

I'd love to teach these principle to my students (I'm a private tutor) but I know that their in-school teachers would not allow their use as the syllabuses are somewhat antiquated (as are some of the teachers, their beliefs, and methods). They'd probably lose their minds about what Professor Tufte says about pie charts :-D, which, by the way is not to use them as there are better ways to present data. "The only thing worse than one pie chart is more pie charts".

All in all, as someone who's not from a design or art background and with a bit of a background in maths I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its principles, insights, and suggestions, and though it may not be everyone's cup of tea I would readily suggest it to anyone who has more than a passing interest in graphics especially if they're presenting quantitative data. The principles are logical and intuitive, and I really do think that the presentation of graphics should (like anything) be taught well (eschew the decorations/ducks!)

This book is invaluable and has awakened my thirst for more knowledge.

I'm looking forward to reading more!

41 people found this helpful

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RJ Andrews

One of the most beautiful books about data visualization

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2019

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It is also likely the most successful book about dataViz ever. Like many, it was the first book I ever read on the craft. Toady, I really luxuriate in how much praise Tufte gave to some really old work. I found Tufte’s ability to describe what is so magical about data storytelling to be way ahead of his time, almost poetic. My favorite line is the very last one in the book, “the task of the designer is to give visual access to the subtle and the difficult—that is, the revelation of the complex.”

I do not believe his advice on how to do it has weathered as well as his ability to describe how wonderful it is when it is done well. In the end, I was surprised by how few notes I took on this book. I found his later book Envisioning Information (1990) to be much more interesting, especially his way of describing micro/macro readings, small multiples, and “narratives of space and time.”

15 people found this helpful

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H. Richter

Book is great (Amazon service and the physical book corner is damaged...not the author's fault)

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020

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As expected, this book (content) is great. Took one star off due to poor Amazon services: we cannot communicate with Amazon about if they would or could provide a replacement which is NOT damaged. the only choice is to take the risk and buy another book in order to compare the two same books to decide which one is in good condition. Since we pay full price for new hardcopy, we expect the book to be in new and good condition. As you can see the picture, it is not. Again it is not the author's fault. We don't want to return it just in case the book is sold out. We would like to exchange it but there is no way to communicate with Amazon (does Amazon care?) to see if there is a brand new book available that is not damaged. Sadly we are keeping this book

8 people found this helpful

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Classic foundational reference work

Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2019

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I do a lot of work conveying information to leaders and technical people and wanted to move away from PowerPoint, using data in a “native” format.

This book is about efficient design and layout. It does a great job conveying principles for clear and precise communication. It’s a bit dated, coming from an era when all charts and graphs were made by hand, but principles don’t shift. A reference I will use again and again.

5 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

A must read for anyone regularly graphically presenting quantitative information

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2009

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The book is simply stunning. It consigns most of the graphical designs of the consulting industry into the dustbin of bad practice and presents some slightly unconventional alternatives, which actually do look more compelling on second thought. The standard rules of avoiding lie factors in graphics, maximising the data / ink ratio, the integration of graphics and text are all spot on and show how statistics, when done right, is far from boring, tending far more towards the fascinating instead.

The book also provides some splendid examples of good graphical design, shockingly most of them fairly old - i.e. the field did not progress nearly as much as should be expected, with most of the progress being pre-20th century, with several unfortunate steps back from the 1920s to 1970s (shown as well). Another interesting facet is the historical development of methods for presenting quantitative information, which is interesting in its own right.

This book should be essential reading for anyone who relies on visually presenting quantitative information and is an absolute must in management consulting.

19 people found this helpful

Ap Woods

Data Visualisation with style

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2015

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I bought this as a geek with a view to learning more about how to present data in a way that capitalised on the use of colour and so on (as an artists I make a good housebrick). This book is just the one I needed for that purpose. Furthermore, in and of itself, it is beautifully presented (IMO) which, on consideration, as a book on visual design, it should have been. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a good grounding on visualisation of data.....

2 people found this helpful

Conor Brown

Just a beautiful book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2021

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The book is rich and textured in substance and style. One of the best books on the subject and one one of my favourite books to open.

Tommy

Economists, econometricians and statisticians all need this book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2011

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This book is perfect for anyone who must present data and information visually in their career. I am an econometrician and find this book, and others like it by the author, a great source of inspiration. The benefits of presenting information better should not be underestimated. The book has great examples as well as discussing the theory behind the methods. You will not be disappointed with this book. It is beautiful!

Anon

Brilliant

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2014

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A dry title for a completely wonderful (and beautifully produced) book. Nobody should ever prepare a presentation using graphics to convey numbers without having read it!

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About the author

Edward R. Tufte