Poems and Letters of William Arthur Goss

The letters and poems in this volume were written by an Iowan who was thrust into several different locales and cultural milieus during and immediately after the second world war. The author was a civilian employee of the United States Army Corps of Engineers during these times. At the various postings, activities were centered on conducting or recovering from one of History's greatest conflicts. Mr. Goss describes his interactions with individuals from several countries with whom he worked in Alberta, Yukon Territory, Alaska, the Philippine Islands, and Japan. During the serious business of war there were lighter moments. An Australian drinking song is included in one letter.

The letters and poems describe features of the various locales such as terrain, weather, and Mr. Goss's particular enthusiasm, botanical riches. Reaction to events during the second world war appear in the letters and poems, and illustrate the ideas about life and politics that were not atypical for the time. As such they are surely of Historical value.