PREORDER: I Am St. Louis by Andrew Wanko
What if St. Louis could tell its own story?
I Am St. Louis introduces this region in a whole new way, letting St. Louis speak for itself through stories that astonish, delight and challenge. Drawn from more than 250 years of history, this new book explores the triumphs and tragedies, the ordinary and extraordinary, and the people and places that shaped the region—and, in many cases, the world.
Discover river monsters and ghost authors, drinking water once described as more solid than liquid, the origins of the way St. Louisans "larn" to talk and hundreds of other stories that reveal the character, complexity and surprises of our city.
Whether you're a lifelong St. Louisan, a newcomer or simply curious about this remarkable place, I Am St. Louis is your invitation to experience St. Louis as you've never met it before.
About the Author
Andrew Wanko is a public historian with the Missouri Historical Society, where he has served as the content lead on exhibits including A Walk in 1875 St. Louis, St. Louis Sound, and Coloring STL. He authored the book Great River City: How the Mississippi Shaped St. Louis, which won a 2019 Independent Publishers Book Award gold medal, and directed the feature-length documentary Show Me 66: Main Street Through Missouri, which won the 2016 Midwest Regional Emmy for Best Historic Documentary Film. He is a three-time winner of the Award of Merit from the American Association of State and Local History.
Launching in December 2026
Preorders open August 14th. Pick-up is available on December 3rd during the upcoming launch event, and copies will begin to ship by December 4th.
Paperback | 10x12 | 304 pages | 650 illustrations