Author Jim Merkel will sign copies of his book, “The Making of an Icon: the Dreamers, the Schemers and the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway Arch,” from 2 to 4:30 p.m. today — Saturday — at the Fenton Barnes & Noble in the Fenton Commons Shopping Center, 721 Gravois Road.

Merkel’s book is an exhaustive, yet highly readable account of the conception and construction of the Arch. From architect to welder, readers will learn of and appreciate the daring men who created one of our country’s most iconic symbols.

Growing up in suburban St. Louis, author and journalist Merkel went on numerous Sunday afternoon drives with his family to watch the construction of the Gateway Arch.

His two previous books for Reedy Press are “Hoosiers and Scrubby Dutch: St. Louis’ South Side” and “Beer, Brats, and Baseball: St. Louis Germans.”

He and his wife, Lorraine, live in South St. Louis, 20 minutes from the Arch.