The Making of an Icon: The Dreamers, the Schemers, and the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway Arch

by Jim Merkel

The Making of an Icon: The Dreamers, the Schemers, and the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway Arch compiles well-known, and rare, stories about the visionaries, finaglers, protesters, and fearless-but-skilled hands involved in an incredible undertaking that courted as much controversy as it did enthusiasm. Today, 2.5 million visit the Gateway Arch every year, and more than 100,000 motorists view the 63-story monument daily from miles away and up close. Many already comprehend its symbolic meaning and physical beauty. The Making of An Icon helps us appreciate the relentless pursuit, innovation, and toil that made the Arch happen.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2014

Reviews

[Lillian VanBennekom]

Not the best written, but thoroughly enjoyable and informative!

[Melissa Stutsman]

Very educational read on the making of the St. Louis Arch.

[Matt]

The first 1/2 of the book is very interesting, it's about the politics of making the St. Louis Arch. That part of the book is 4 stars. The second half of the book is filler (and I skipped large parts of it), that part is 3 stars. I gave the book 4 stars since I really enjoyed the first part.

[Josh]

A fun, if fairly basic, read. Very enjoyable, but in more of a "trivia" way...