Check out this New York magazine article on Edward Tufte. It's not only further endorsement for book design, but also a great analogy to the author as touring musician/rock star.
"And at these six-and-a-half-hour presentations, the audience starts cheering when he hits the floor, clamors for their books to be signed, buys posters at the table out front. As soon as the applause stops, Tufte bolts backstage, enthusiastically draining a Corona. "There are usually about 500 people who want to talk afterwards, and I've exhausted myself," he says sheepishly. "I have to go hide out. Otherwise it takes hours."