Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 26-30 of 31
 A Terrific Guide to Good Data Presentation October 1, 2004
Jo Anne S. Burlison (Berkeley, CA)
21 out of 22 found this review helpful
After reading "Show Me the Numbers," while preparing to post a review of this exceptional book, I felt compelled to respond to the odd and uninformed comments posted by the reviewer who goes by the name Joey Canuck. His primary criticism seems to be that the book is bloated with more words than necessary to present the content. I couldn't disagree more. Perhaps Mr. Canuck disapproves of the author's approach to teaching, which involves a thorough, step-by-step construction of the concepts, complemented by many practical examples, which I believe to be a sound approach when you intend to help people learn. Just like well designed tables and graphs, the design of this book, without frivolous or distracting content, demonstrates a clear focus on communication.
Contrary to Joey Canuck's claim, this book has nothing to do with Excel, other than instructions that appear in an appendix for using Excel to create a particular graph. The principles and practices taught in this book are software agnostic. Regarding consistency with the principles taught by Edward Tufte, I found this book to be quite true to them, and a fitting application and extension of Tufte's principles to the data presentation needs faced every day in the business world. Canuck's complaint that the first grid line does not appear in a graph until page 207 suggests that he is not very familiar with Tufte's teachings, which would deem grid lines in most business graphs as "chartjunk." Actually, the first graph with grid lines appears on page 4, but as an example of the poor design that is common in business today.
A big part of my work involves the creation of reports, consisting largely of tables and graphs. I must often fight for the need to keep the presentation of data simple and clear. "Show Me the Numbers" provides me with the support I need to do this effectively and compellingly.
An absolute "must" for Business School students September 30, 2004
D. Tjen
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
This book is the first real effort to address the poor quality of business graphics that have been so easily produced with the proliferation of personal computer software like Excel and Powerpoint. Few's insights are intelligent, well-thought out and practical enough to be understood and implemented by every businessperson.
I've always been a big fan of Edward Tufte, but never felt that his books provided enough practical guidance for analysts and knowledge workers. Show Me the Numbers fills that void and provides readers with a framework for not only designing superior business graphics, but more importantly, communicating effectively with an audience.
Business schools should make this book mandatory for all students.
 So much ink, so little content September 30, 2004
Joey Canuck (Toronto, Canada)
16 out of 22 found this review helpful
This is a beautifully designed and produced book containing page after turgid page of mostly banal observations. To say this book belabours the obvious only hints at the author's apparent belief that the reader is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. For instance, do we really deserve, 57 pages into the book, a rambling, one-paragraph definition for "line?" (Yes, it's what you think it is.)
At best the book is an overwrought style guide for Microsoft Excel, and thankfully steers the reader away from using Excel's most abominable "features." At worst it makes a hash of the very principles espoused by Edward Tufte the author claims to uphold.
While most of the example graphs are mediocre at best (the first grid line is sighted on page 207, after we've seen dozens of examples that cry out for them), it's the writing that drags the book, and the reader, down. The author goes on and on about how to present data in its sparest form by excising redundant and unnecessary ink. Had he applied the same zeal for economy to his writing the book would be a third as long and a lot more readable.
A Really Great Book on Information Visualization September 9, 2004
Colin White (Ashland Oregon)
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
Not enough attention is given to how we display and present information to business users. This unique book is a must buy for anyone designing executive dashboards or needing to understand how to display information in a meaningful way to different types of business users.
Turning Data into Information August 19, 2004
J. Greenbaum
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Steven Few's book is a must read for anyone who needs to find a better way to turn confusing data into useful information. The book is comprehensive, readable, and shows by copious example that there is a better way to get your point across.
Showing reviews 26-30 of 31
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