Christopher Verga

By the close of World War II, Long Island had transformed from a rural corridor to a suburban behemoth. The region became a nationally recognized manufacturing and innovation hub for the military and possessed one of the fastest-growing middle-class populations in the country. But behind the manicured lawns and cookie-cutter cape homes, locals were adapting to new Cold War conflicts and facing anxieties of a potential nuclear fallout. Secret nuclear missile sites and classified government laboratories were established on the outskirts of Suffolk County, often among unaware residents. Soviet spy rings traversed across the island, seeking to steal industry secrets and monitor military installations. Author Christopher Verga and veteran journalist Karl Grossman bring to life the often overlooked history of the Cold War era in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Long Island was transformed from a pastoral rural community to a modern suburban behemoth by playing an integral role in the homefront of World War II. Dozens of Nazi spies infiltrated industry throughout the island and communicated industrial secrets back to Germany as the FBI chased them down. Long Island held the record for producing the most fighter planes in the country with the rapid rebirth of its aviation sector. Five Medal of Honor recipients called the region home. At the close of the war, the United Nations established itself in a weapons factory in Lake Success. Author Christopher Verga charts the rise of Long Island and its role in World War II.

With its unspoiled, tranquil shorelines, Fire Island has been an oasis for vacationers for more than 150 years. To the polarizing "master builder" Robert Moses, its coastline was ripe for the construction of an Ocean Parkway extension. Standing up to thos

Known as Penataquit among the Secatogue Indians, Bay Shore was established in 1708. Since then, the hamlet of Bay Shore has developed a rich heritage through embracing the tapestry of multiculturalism and utilizing its natural resources to build a vibrant, enduring community. Residents have borne witness to the American Revolution, the rise and fall of the fishing industry, the boom and bust of the Gilded Age, the impact of deinstitutionalization, and community revitalization. From Bay Shore s beginning, the community has birthed artists, activists, athletes, industrialists, laborers, and politicians. The heirs of this 26,000-person hamlet s heritage continue to build and define the place as a viable community in the 21st century."