Overall, one could say that The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi reads like a particularly lengthy newspaper article. This is because it is mainly written in a fast-paced journalistic style that keeps the story flowing. Much of the story is told using anecdotes and reflections about the life of Welles Crowther, of the kind that journalists would use in their articles.

The overall effect of Rinaldi's writing style is twofold. First of all, it gives a certain immediacy to the story. Journalism is primarily concerned with what is contemporary, with what is happening now. And by using a similar writing style as a journalist in a newspaper or on a website, Rinaldi, himself a journalist, makes the events of Crowther's life and the effect he had on so many people come to life.

Secondly, Rinaldi's use of anecdotes and reflections gives a real human depth to the story. Through these memories of Welles Crowther we're able to get a much better understanding of what kind of person he was, what made him tick, and so on.

We know that he was a hero who gave his life to save others on 9/11, but we also want to find out more about him as a man, as an ordinary human being, albeit one blessed with superhuman qualities. The many anecdotes and reflections that regularly crop up throughout the book fulfill this objective admirably, giving us a privileged insight into what kind of person Crowther was and what kind of effect he had on the many people privileged to know him.