The second in a series of three books by Edward R. Tufte about the display of information. The first is The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, and the third is Visual Explanations
Pub. by Graphics Press, Chesire, Connecticut, 1990
126p.
In this book, Tufte addresses the way graphical representations portray information. He addresses mapping the three dimensional world on two dimensional surfaces, the representation of population density and train lines, the qualities of a good map, and what methods of portrayal communicate most effectively.
Some of my favorite parts are the map of the population density of Tokyo (better than it sounds, p40-41), Roy Lichtenstein's inspiration in Mural with Blue Brushstroke (p70-71), and the discussion of The first six books of the elements of Euclid : in which coloured diagrams and symbols are used instead of letters for the greater ease of learners (p84-87).1 Overall, an excellent book, one I wish more designers and people who are trying to design would read.
1. Ok, so there is a bit of personal bias here. See http://www.sjca.edu/~cbp/