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!
ISBN-13: 978-0961392147
ISBN-10: 9780961392147
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Customer reviews
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
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
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020
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Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2018
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Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2019
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Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020
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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
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
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020
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Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2019
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Top reviews from other countries
AK
A must read for anyone regularly graphically presenting quantitative information
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2009Verified Purchase
Ap Woods
Data Visualisation with style
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2015Verified Purchase
Conor Brown
Just a beautiful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2021Verified Purchase
Tommy
Economists, econometricians and statisticians all need this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2011Verified Purchase
Anon
Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2014Verified Purchase
