Points of Reference
Books about information visualization and info-graphics
Envisioning Information - by Edward R. Tufte Tufte is the farther of information visualization. His books are very much the visual bible of the design community, there are some wonderful inspirational illustrations. Definitely worth purchasing at least one of these graphics. These books are part history, part tutorial, part catalog.
The Visual Display of quantitive Information - by Edward R. Tufte Another Tuft Classic, you have just got to read this.
Designing Infographics - by Eric K Meyer The Design of info-graphics is an excellent book for a graphic illustrator. It's a simple punchy title with a good general introduction to all kinds of infographic design. This looks to be aimed at the Newspaper/Magazine illustrator who needs to make snappy visually attractive and informative graphic. This is definitely more a 'how to' book with step by step guides on how to build a number of charts, maps and info graphics.
Information Graphics - by Peter Wildbur and Michael Burke This is wonderful catalog of some of the most visually well designed information graphics. Information graphics covers a wide variety of situations from maps to street signs to web sites and computer interfaces. I feel it's slightly handicapped by the vast coverage and the text is quite light, this is much more a book for inspiration in quite moments.