The Visual Display of Quantitative Information  (English, Hardcover, Tufte Edward R.)

Initially the first portion of the book displays some stellar examples of informative charts to give a taste of what good statistical graphics look like. Then Tufte starts to show example of really poor graphics form various sources. The reputation of the sources lets you imagine the condition in the other less reputed newspapers, textbooks and journals. Using a "Lie Factor" he has also tried to objectively evaluate a graphic which actually works but maybe less relevant in evaluating scientif...

Tufte explains fundamentals of information design especially statistical graphics; from the need for statistical graphics, concept of data-ink ratio, weakness & strengths of various representations and many more.

The book itself is beautifully designed.