David Chrisinger
Award-Winning Author and Educator Exploring How Stories Shape Public Life
David Chrisinger is Executive Director of the Harris Writing Workshop at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. His books and essays explore how storytelling shapes public life, examining war, trauma, and the power of personal narratives to influence policy and democratic debate. Read more
Reviews
The Dachau prisoner Edgar Kupfer risked everything to keep a secret diary. This singular account of life and death in an SS concentration camp remains widely unknown today, as does its fearless author. Writing Against the Reich skillfully tells Kupfer’s remarkable story, often in his own words, giving voice to an extraordinarily perceptive chronicler of Nazi terror.
Nikolaus Wachsmann, KL: A History of the Nazi Concentration Camp
Edgar Kupfer’s diary provides a unique lens into the gruesome conditions and the horrific acts of sadism that prisoners endured. At the same time, this book offers a testament to how ordinary acts of kindness and moments of shared art, music, and humor become extraordinary displays of resistance. Kupfer emerges as a remarkable figure in history: a man who remained true to his convictions and values when most did not. His diary is an invaluable contribution to World War II literature.
Keren Blankfeld, Lovers in Auschwitz: A True Story
Free of partisan hyperbole, More Than Personal provides an actionable roadmap for turning lived experience into political action. David Chrisinger empowers you to harness the techniques of master storytellers to drive systemic change, proving a fundamental truth: data may win arguments, but stories win hearts.
Dr. Brian Williams, The Bodies Keep Coming: Dispatches from a Black Trauma Surgeon on Racism, Violence, and How We Heal
David is a breathtakingly deft writer who knows how to craft a story with deep meaning, and with this book he shares the secrets of that skill with its highest purpose. This is a must-read guide for anyone hoping to spark change through their written words and experiences, knitting together the finest elements of journalism, passionate advocacy and practicality.
Kevin Fagan, The Lost and the Found: A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family, and Second Chances
Many practitioners and policy writers are eager to apply storytelling tools to advocacy work but struggle to start. In More Than Personal, David Chrisinger crafts a thoughtful and accessible guide to help writers turn ideas and evidence into compelling stories that move audiences. By blending classic storytelling tools with modern frameworks and concrete examples, this book provides a useful roadmap to make messages memorable and impactful.
Lauren Brodsky, Because Data Can’t Speak for Itself: A Practical Guide to Telling Persuasive Policy Stories
I have struggled my whole career with understanding the reader and their needs. Not until this book did I find a comprehensive and straightforward framework to think about the reader more holistically as I navigate my relationship with them during my writing process.
Brakeyshia R. Samms, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
As a professional staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, I use the lessons from this insightful book to write memos that break down complex topics and to craft speeches that highlight the importance of policy solutions for a broader audience.
Graham Harwood, House Oversight Committee, U.S. Congress
As a Management Analyst focused on state and federal legislation, I write memos that inform my director on a wide range of policy topics that impact, or could potentially impact, Arapahoe County. Consistently, I return to the frameworks within the worn covers of my copy of David’s 2nd Edition of Public Policy Writing That Matters.
Nico Johnson, Arapahoe County Government, Colorado
The most challenging responsibility for a public policy professional is not developing a point of view, but rather getting someone in power to agree with you and take action. Professor Chrisinger taught me the power of persuasion to effectively advocate for my position and build trust with policymakers on both sides of the aisle.
Molly Smith, IFF, Community Development Financial Institution
Chrisinger’s use of “Ernie,” rather than Pyle, creates an intimate connection between readers and subject. With other writers that approach might seem presumptuous and also outrage purist writing teachers, but given the familiar tone of Pyle’s columns, in this instance, it works.
Claude R. Marx, The Common Reader
Displaying Pyle’s detailed snapshots of victory, levity, fatigue, death, and grief . . . The compelling story of ‘America’s most beloved war correspondent,’ who lost his life recording soldiers’ real experiences.
Review, Kirkus
In this intriguing and admiring biography, Chrisinger retraces war correspondent Ernie Pyle’s steps through the European and Pacific theaters of WWII . . . Chrisinger’s deep admiration for his subject comes through, as does his belief in the power of storytelling as a force for good . . . A fascinating portrait of a reporter who gave everything to get the story.
Review, Publishers Weekly
When it comes to Pyle and the war, the book is very good. The reporter was a prolific letter-writer, and Mr. Chrisinger draws heavily and judiciously from Pyle’s correspondence with two close friends and with his wife.
Ben Yagoda, Wall Street Journal
Chrisinger teases out the exquisite, often painful balancing act Pyle had to perform as a war correspondent . . . An excellent reassessment of a singular American journalist.
Booklist, starred review
A prescient and engrossing story, Chrisinger intricately weaves moments of memoir and hard journalism with incredibly granular and well-rendered studies of Pyle’s life, the parts of war he witnessed, and the people he met, knew, and loved.
Rachel Kambury, Wrath-Bearing Tree
