Rating: 
Summary: Not as much a book as a stimulating conversation ...
Review: I was about to give book two stars. As several reviewers have pointed out, IA2 wanders off into superficial discussions of self-help and managerial principles, and is full of self-promotion from cover to cover (literally). You expect a conference registration card each time you turn a page.But just as RSW must have been trembling in his black turtleneck with the prospect of receiving such a low rating on Amazon, I realized that it is precisely his ego that made the experience great. The undiluted point of view stemming from genuine interests, with ample random and not-so-random diversions, raises enough questions and opens enough doors to be more than worth the baggage. The book is like one of those flights where you skip ordering cocktails until you pass out, because you have been seated next to someone interesting -- it requires a bit more effort, but is ultimately more rewarding too. So four it is.
Rating: 
Summary: Information Anxiety is a MUST read
Review: If you or someone you know CARES about the issue of communication, this book is a must read. If I was a millionaire, I might like to send copies of this book to all the documentation people in our computer software and consumer electronics industry. Wurman dares to stand up and point out the differences between "data" and "information".The way the text of this book is formatted even speaks volumes. He shows us how to do more with less and jump over hurdles that bar us from understanding
Rating: 
Summary: Swill
Review: Mr. Wurman's Access series are good. They assist in travel and are very well designed. Sadly, though, this does not make Mr. Wurman versed in INSTRUCTION. Through _Information Anxiety_, I learned nothing. It's a waste of (ironically) this valuable time Wurman correctly emphasizes so much. Mr. Wurman should stick to his knitting: travel. Avoid this one
Rating:
Summary: Well done at a glance but ultimately lacking
Review: Nice and impressive at first but ultimately
it doesn't tell you how to do such great things yourself nor does it prove
why some things are better.
One case in point is in the intro he seems to say that pie charts are bad and 3d shadowed
pie charts are worse, but then he features an article (on calories) that has, suprise, 3d pie charts.
It's a keeper and I want to pass it around but
it's not perfect.
In contrast I believe on of the "Toz on UI"
books (By Bruce Tog.... of Apple) at least
refers to studies done to "prove" that certain ways of designing the screens are
empiracally better.
Rating:
Summary: Lord, what a great book
Review: Rarely has a book so completely validated gut feelings that it drove me to action. Last time this happened for me is when I first encountered the writings of Donald Norman. I got the book last night and read it in one sitting. It was hard to put down. Tonight I will be rereading it. It was way worth the money. I'll be buying more for others. Its one of those books.
Rating:
Summary: The 'Answer' to 'Out of Print'
Review: Some readers may not understand that this was the FIRST book that gave those of us with information architecture 'leanings' evidence to support our posture. While Lou and Peter's book is always referred to as a 'primer' for the field of Information Architecture that evolved out of the internet boom, there are key concepts in Richard's book that are imperative for 'thinking'. I recall a review of his first publication where the reader lamented that Richard told a great story but gave no concrete examples of what he was talking about. I was screaming mentally, "But his entire book is a living example of his concepts." I kept writing his office, begging them to issue a reprint because I had already lost 2 copies of the first edition book and feared loaning out the last one I had scrounged up. That copy is my classic...whenever I have time I run through the highlights and notes I have throughout the book. I will often find concepts that I consider part of my core beliefs and am reminded where I originally adopted them from. As for one of the recent reviews 'dissing' this book, making reference to Nathan Shedroff's writings, perhaps the contributor didn't realize where Nathan, who used to work "for" Richard, originally got his endoctrination!
Rating:
Summary: Every business owner should read this book
Review: Ten years ago RSW said that data was the source of "Information Anxiety"; he went on to explain ways for people to put data into meaningful displays. His premise is that the display of data helps you convey a message. Take a look at the millions of advertisements that still don't understand his simple suggestions. I cringe when I see the updates or designs people do to magazines or newspapers that put more pictures, less data and even less "information." Doesn't anybody read books like IA2 to understand what the brain does and how it sorts data to come to choices? In the beginning Wired followed his rules and they blew away the competition, then they got smart and followed the formula of the oldline magazines, then nearly bankrupt they got sold. RSW set up the guidelines for magazines of the future. This is a great book and if a business owner really wanted their advertising and their collateral material to produce results they would use the tools in the book to check and see if they have broken the rules of cutting through the noise. Buy this book, follow the rules, win more business.
Rating:
Summary: Every business owner should read this book
Review: Ten years ago RSW said that data was the source of "Information Anxiety"; he went on to explain ways for people to put data into meaningful displays. His premise is that the display of data helps you convey a message. Take a look at the millions of advertisements that still don't understand his simple suggestions. I cringe when I see the updates or designs people do to magazines or newspapers that put more pictures, less data and even less "information." Doesn't anybody read books like IA2 to understand what the brain does and how it sorts data to come to choices? In the beginning Wired followed his rules and they blew away the competition, then they got smart and followed the formula of the oldline magazines, then nearly bankrupt they got sold. RSW set up the guidelines for magazines of the future. This is a great book and if a business owner really wanted their advertising and their collateral material to produce results they would use the tools in the book to check and see if they have broken the rules of cutting through the noise. Buy this book, follow the rules, win more business.
Rating:
Summary: Every business owner should read this book
Review: Ten years ago RSW said that data was the source of "Information Anxiety"; he went on to explain ways for people to put data into meaningful displays. His premise is that the display of data helps you convey a message. Take a look at the millions of advertisements that still don't understand his simple suggestions. I cringe when I see the updates or designs people do to magazines or newspapers that put more pictures, less data and even less "information." Doesn't anybody read books like IA2 to understand what the brain does and how it sorts data to come to choices? In the beginning Wired followed his rules and they blew away the competition, then they got smart and followed the formula of the oldline magazines, then nearly bankrupt they got sold. RSW set up the guidelines for magazines of the future. This is a great book and if a business owner really wanted their advertising and their collateral material to produce results they would use the tools in the book to check and see if they have broken the rules of cutting through the noise. Buy this book, follow the rules, win more business.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Should be required for anybody in communications.
Review: The author's background as an architect is obvious as he points out ways to assist the reader in structuring their information and in managing the glut of information all of us must sort through on a daily basis.
He does an excellent job of demonstrating how best to communicate with others. The first book in my recollection to articulate the three different kinds of companies in the communications business: companies that deal with information Transmission, Storage and Understanding.
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