The Red Bandanna: A life, A Choice, A Legacy

A very well written true story of an American hero during the tragic 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. This 24 year old Financial Analyst responded to the attack by helping at least 12 burned and injured civilians down a stairwell, even carrying one of them, to get them to the lower floor elevators and eventually to safety, then went back up to find more. A volunteer fireman who aspired to eventually become a member of the NYFD and had filled out an application for that occupation at the time of the attack. This story focuses on him as a person, then the day of the attack, and then how his parents eventually learned of his final hours through survivors that he had helped save. An emotional tribute to the common American who seems always able to rise to the occasion - Welles Crowther will go down as a noble example of what an American hero should be!

If you read nothing else this year read about selfless giving. In this year of tragedy,sadness, missing our own families and friends because of Covid restrictions, read about this young man, a boy who early own learned the importance of selflessness as a volunteer firefighter, as a member of sport TEAMS and with parents and friends of parents to observe and emulate for their volunteerism in helping their fellow man. In a year when all of us have made sacrifices, many losing loved ones and not being allowed into the hospital at their last breath, think too of this young man, of what he might have felt and seen that day. The terror he must have felt that he somehow overcame and climbed back, over his terror, to help others. In this year of sadness, loneliness for many, remember this man. I will buy red bandanas and this book for my Christmas list this year. I can think of nothing more appropriate for 2020, for another year that again tests our strength and willingness to give of ourselves to our fellow American.

The best book I've read about 9/11 absolutely. This is a huge reminder and inspiration to look out for others in the course of each day. This is so much more than a story about a hero - and Wells Crowther is a genuine hero! This is an amazing story about a family, a neighborhood, a community and the world of humanity. It doesn't preach, but you feel lighter and fuller and richer for having read this book. Shortly after reading the book, I was telling a friend about it over dinner in Phoenix, AZ, to explain why I was giving her a red bandanna. A young woman at the table beside us turned to tell me that she went to school with Wells and showed me her own red bandanna! I am forever changed by reading this book, and will read it again and again.

Although the story of Welles Crowther is incredibly inspirational, I did not like the way this book was written. I thought the book was much too long and may have been better and more profound as a feature article in a news magazine. The ESPN short documentary style video piece was much more moving than the book. I don't think the story of Welles Crowther translated to paper as well as it did to video.

I'm shocked to be giving this book a 4, and I was instantly inspired to purchase it after reading the interview. What I found challenging about it was all of the pre-story about Welles family. A much shorter version of his parents and grandparents lives would have been more appealing to me, personally. I know most people don't agree with this.However, how Welles so selflessly and heroically helped so many people on one of the toughest days in US history is truly inspiring and forces us to contemplate what we would do in such a situation. What would our story be? And that is something golden for everyone in a world that has become more about "me" than "service to others".

Like most Americans, I was deeply touched by the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11. But 16 years later, at the recommendation of a friend, a true New Yorker, I was brought back deeply into touch with it again by the story of Welles Crowther. The story is masterfully written and takes you emotionally into the story in a very special way. You become a part of the tragedy and the overcoming in a way I will not soon forget.

What can be said about a story that has been told so well previously? A young man finds himself in a precarious situation in the South Tower on 9/11. How he responds is the story of this book but not till the end. Not until journalists find small clues about a voice that led people to safety. But why did he not escape and what is this young man's background? That is the story of the book. Sad and compelling and heroic

I have read several books over the years on 9/11. This book has to be at the top of near the top of all the books I have read. Welles Crowther was the All American kid who made the ultimate sacrifice in helping others escape the South towers. At different times I found myself laughing at some of the stories while he was growing up and at other times tearing up. I don't usually go back a read a book a second time but this one i would and will read a second time.

I'll leave it nice and short because a lot of what il say has probably already been said the world would be a better place with more Welles Crowthers in it a young man who had he's whole life in front of him but chose to help others that cost him the ultimate sacrifice because it was the right thing to do on a day the world will never forget there were a lot of heroes on 9/11 but the story of Welles will stay with me forever.

A wonderful account of Welles Crowther's life and actions on that fateful day. An ideal gift for young people as Welles was the ideal role model.

Inspirational and amazing. How a person sacrifices his life to save the lives of others says a lot about the family and friends who shaped the life. I read 20 to 25 books a year and it has been a long time since I read a book that has impacted me like this. It is a must read.

Read this book for our book club and everyone enjoyed it . Inspirational story