The Secret Language of Maps
How to Tell Visual Stories with Data
by Carissa Carter
Maps, data and infographics help us make sense of the world...but this is not your average book about data visualization. In this book, you'll unravel a murder mystery to pull back the curtain on the features inherent in all maps and infographics, and use them to solve the crime. Employing an incredibly engaging approach, this practical guide not only teaches you how to read and design maps, but it also gives you the tools to interpret the daily infographics you see in the news, in business, and literally everywhere. After reading this book, you’ll look for the agenda behind every map and the hidden messages lurking within data in a world full of misinformation.
I had a blast writing this book. It merges fiction with non-fiction in a way I've wanted to experiment with for years. The two alternate across the book. The non-fiction elements unpack a framework for map and data visualization that I've used in my teaching for years. The fiction story is a murder mystery that can only be solved using the techniques taught in the non-fiction. I hope you enjoy it!