My new book: Help with mapping and other graphics

I wrote here about the new book project I’m currently working on. I’d really like any help any of you can give (or link to) regarding production of good graphics for it.
Yesterday, I figured out some fairly good chart-creating tools– on Excel and from the “Createagraph” website. So that’s good: pie-charts, bar graphs, here we come!
Today I’m a bit stuck on maps. Primarily, I’d love to find a good clear outline map of the whole world on which I could overlay either a few lines (as in, these lines regarding how the US military overlays its operational planning on the whole world) or perhaps some text-boxes, as in, texts relating to the numbers of people from each continent killed through armed violence since 2000, or numbers of people living in poverty in each continent, or whatever.
Nice to be able to put such info onto the shape of a clearly recognizable world map, don’t you think?
Note: all these graphics must look good and clear in black and white!
Any suggestions, friends?

7 thoughts on “My new book: Help with mapping and other graphics”

  4. Hi Helena,
    Cartography is a profession in itself and there are a lot of professional software used to design maps. Some are so expansive that they can only be acquired by big organizations or firms.
    Other are more available for individuals. A good one is MapViewer of Golden Software, which also comes with background maps.
    There is even a free and sophisticated software by Philippe Wagniez Philcarto.
    But there is a learning curve to use them. If you want ready maps, you may be better borrowing one from someone else.
    This atlas entitled “Le dessous des cartes” (litterally : “Under the maps”, but in French Dessous is a polysemic words also hinting to a hidden agenda) may be of great use to you, it is written in French, but the maps occupies most of the space. It can be ordered directly on the web here and for that kind of books, the price is a bargain.
    “Le Dessous des cartes” is a weekly geopolitical report aired on the French/German TV channel “Arte”. It last only five minutes and is exclusively based on maps. It tries to present what is at stakes in our actual world, using an interdisciplinary approach to describe different power relationships; its main goal is to explain conflicts and to show inequalities and unequal relationships between North and South, between the “great powers”. The atlas is condense several years of analysis. They also have DVDs of the footages (included an English version), which I find even better because the maps, then, are animated, changing as the presentator offers his explanations.
    Given the importance of iconography in your book project, will they offer you the advices of an infographist ? or someone with good knowledge in the way to manage graphic information ? Because this may change the way you approach things.

  5. I just received a solicitation in the mail from National Geographic offering an atlas for purchase, including “exclusive online resources and updates–PLUS access to our interactive MapMachine!”
    including:
    * Combine thematic layers and print your own customized maps
    * Download outline, street, topographic and population density maps.

  7. Hello Helena,
    If you need help finding good photography for your new book, I would be happy to assist. I have been photo editor of Middle East Report for about 5 years and am also doing freelance photo research for others. Although my focus is the Middle East, I know many excellent photographers and photo agencies that cover the rest of the world. I am also familiar with historical archives. In addition to finding effective and informative photos I can help negotiate reasonable fees for their usage.
    All best wishes,
    Michelle Woodward
    http://www.mwoodward.com

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