David McCandless (1) (1971–)

This is the second of McCandless’s infographics book that I have read now, and this one is as spectacular as the first. They are a vast depositary of data and information that he has reformed into easy to read and simple to understand layouts. The range of subjects covered is vast, there are graphics on everything from the amount spent of drugs to oil, personal transport to movie plots, antibiotics to plant varieties.

There are fascinating comparisons on numerous subjects between the four largest economic powerhouses of the world, the USA, Europe, China and India, with clear graphics on the subject being studied and a winner for each of the categories. As with the first book, he has taken the details of his subjects and made them understandable and interesting to look at.

Like the first book, I am not convinced that the data he is showing is 100% accurate, but this is a book to show what can be achieved with infographics. The layouts are superb too, but I think that the choice of font colour sometimes was wrong, a dark grey font on a pale grey background is not the easiest to read. It is a good follow up to the first volume.… (mais)