Time-Space Storytelling

Published in 1869, Charles Minard's eloquent graphic story is peculiarly relevant in an age of geotagging our own personal data.

Minard's graph of Napoleon's Russian Campaign of 1812:

Through a sort of flow chart imposed on a map, Minard tells a story of time and space, gracefully documenting multiple variables:

• The army's location in Russia
  
• The direction and path the army traveled
  
• Where units spun off and rejoined
  
• The declining size of the army
  
• The low temperatures during the retreat (retreat shown in black)
• The dates

Look what happened when the army crossed the Berezina river. In France, the word "berezina" is synonymous with the word "disastre". For another data "berezina", check out this horrifying government PPT slide - they could use a few tips from Minard.