How Charts Lie

This is quite a good contemporary look at chart design and literacy. I've been reading a lot about data visualization and chart design over the past few months, mostly the work of E. Tufte. I've been frustrated by the datedness of Tufte's work and the lack of practical focus.

While Cairo here is more concerned with chart literacy, rather than teaching chart design, there are lessons that can be applied to design and execution. Chapter 1's basic breakdown of “How Charts Work” is great reading even for someone familiar with statistics and the visual communication of data.

Some of Cairo's writing gets a little long-winded and a little too granular, mostly in the second half of the book, but I think these can be forgiven. Some of the topics are political (as they would be!) and it seems like Cairo spends a little too much time trying to state his neutrality and engaging in both-sidesism that is probably not needed.

My copy is an apparently unread 1st edition hardback that comes complete with a stapled trifold press release from the publisher, leading me to wonder if this was an advanced copy or from some event. Regardless, the first edition has a few type issues and more noticeable layout and printing issues. These are thankfully addressed in an online errata by Cairo. The press release happens to be a very succinct summary of the book that would do well as a quick reference sheet for the practitioner hoping to apply the book's lessons.