You guys have probably seen this, but everytime I see it, I realize just what a catastrophe the Russian campaign was. This is considered to be one of the finest graphs created, displaying multiple data elements graphically in a clear and understandable way:
That was included a rolled up print in Edward Tufte’s first edition of:
THE VISUAL DISPLAY OF QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION
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. Recently published, this new 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.
Bought the first edition to aid improving our design firms graphic presentations. The poster size Napoleonic War graph was framed and pinned to the wall to serve as an exemplar.
A mighty river of an army left Paris; only a trickle returned.
My wife got a flyer in the mail for an upcoming Tufte seminar here. I’ve been a fan for a while, I’m thinking about attending. I like his art, too, and I generally don’t like modern sculpture.