"Today Minard is best known for a statistical graphic that details the French army's staggering losses during Napoleon's Russian campaign, a masterpiece popularized by the writings of statistician and political scientist Edward Tufte. The piece is a devastating beauty. Even so, as data visualization specialist Sandra Rendgen demonstrates in her forthcoming book, The Minard System, there's a great deal more to discover about the man and his work. Dozens of Minard's creations-all from the collection of the École nationale des ponts et chaussées in Paris-appear in its pages, meticulously reproduced and augmented by Rendgen's thoughtful and penetrating discussion. Among the many gems included is the Russian campaign graphic's lesser-known companion, which depicts losses to Hannibal's army during its march over the Alps. Rendgen presents it alongside the more celebrated graphic, as originally intended."
- American Scientist
