Edward Tufte’s books on data visualization are nothing short of legend among us information geeks. A political scientist by training, he demonstrates how well-conceived visualizations can effectively communicate insights and how shortcomings can create catastrophes. He continues his famous series on visual imagination with this book on the intersection of data and art. He shows how displays of evidence can move readers much like art and how poorly constructed displays can inhibit good judgment.
Tufte’s highly intellectual writing style remains constant across this series. He notices nuance in illustrations that few others would highlight, but then balloons these observed nuances into foundational insights that can transform the way we communicate data. For instance, he shows how NASA might have prevented the 2006 Challenger disaster were the updates placed into a technical report instead of a slide format.
This book focuses on other items about the fundamentals of information visualization: “sparklines” to communicate trends, how to show causality and to avoid showing it when it’s not implied, and how to map and not to map insights on illustrations. Personally, I tend to have a tough time translating visuals into words, but reading works like Tufte’s increases my skills dramatically. He makes me think hard about how I communicate my scientific findings. His work is not restricted to science only, though, but encompasses most data-driven fields. Such breadth makes for a fun read that engages the imagination.
I wish that every serious professional who relies on communicating information would read a book (or several!) of Tufte’s to enhance their presentation skills. He’s simply on his own level. I have read other experts in the field, but Tufte’s thoughtfulness surpasses. We live in an age where information is abundant – perhaps too abundant. Books like this one help us filter data’s noise so that we can communicate more effectively… and more beautifully.
Beautiful Evidence
By Edward R. Tufte
Copyright (c) 2006
Graphics Press
ISBN13 9780961392178
Page Count: 213
Genre: Visualization
www.amazon.com