Book excerpt: From the Publisher: The City of Fountains Foundation has worked toward a national awareness of Kansas City's fountains and sponsors the building of new fountains. When authors Sherry Piland and Ellen J. Uguccioni proposed the compilation of an all-inclusive manuscript concerning Kansas City's fountains, the Foundation commissioned them to do this work because of their credentials and dedication. The literary preparation required more than three years of intensive research and the ongoing commitment of the authors. The Foundation, as publisher of this book, is proud to present this limited first edition of Fountains of Kansas City.