Shows
The Long Island History ProjectEpisode 210: Christopher Verga and Nazis of Long IslandEven as Hitler and his Nazi regime ran roughshod over Germany and Europe in the 1930s, there were those in America who championed their rise. And nowhere so much as on Long Island. Camp Siegfried in Yaphank became a focal point for certain German Americans to gather and espouse the Nazi cause. Other groups added fuel to the fire, promoting antisemitism, isolationism, and even the overthrow of the United States government. This is the world that Christopher Verga captures in his new book, Nazis of Long Island: Sedition, Espionage & the Plot Against America (out now from the Hi...
2025-10-2737 minThe Long Island History ProjectEpisode 210: Christopher Verga and Nazis of Long IslandEven as Hitler and his Nazi regime ran roughshod over Germany and Europe in the 1930s, there were those in America who championed their rise. And nowhere so much as on Long Island. Camp Siegfried in Yaphank became a focal point for certain German Americans to gather and espouse the Nazi cause. Other groups added fuel to the fire, promoting antisemitism, isolationism, and even the overthrow of the United States government. This is the world that Christopher Verga captures in his new book, Nazis of Long Island: Sedition, Espionage & the Plot Against America (out now from the Hi...
2025-10-2737 min
Beyond the BreakersEpisode 151 - USS TurnerThis week we discuss the loss of the USS Turner, a Gleaves-class destroyer that sank off of New York City in January 1944. **Jump to around 13:30 to get right into the action**gazafunds.comSources: "Gleaves class destroyers (1940)." https://naval-encyclopedia.com/ww2/us/gleaves-class-destroyers.phpNaczi, Robert F. "Special: Tragedy Strikes in New York Harbor." U.S. Naval Institute, December 1995, https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1995/december/special-tragedy-strikes-new-york-harborVerga, Christopher. "Sinking of the U.S.S. Turner: Tragedy, Heroism, and Mystery." Fire Island News, 26 Dec 2024. https://www.fireislandnews.co...
2025-04-1357 min
The Totally Legitimate Business PodcastLong Island’s Hidden Histories: Aviation, Espionage & Innovation | Christopher Verga | Episode 94On Episode 94 of The TLB Podcast, historian and educator Christopher Verga joins James to uncover often-overlooked stories from Long Island’s legacy: WWII aviation advancements, Cold War-era research at Brookhaven Labs, espionage activities, the military-industrial complex, and the reckless rush toward innovation during critical periods in American history.Support the ShowEarly access on Patreon → https://tinyurl.com/mva2z9seAudio-only on Spotify → https://tinyurl.com/ytfnwx6sConnect with Christopher VergaX → https://www.x.com/chrisv1081Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/chrisv1081BooksCivil Rights on Long Is...
2024-11-1857 min
The Long Island History ProjectEpisode 165: The Ferguson Brothers with Christopher VergaTwo Black men were shot and killed by a police officer in Freeport on a cold winter morning in 1946. Another was wounded. All three were brothers, two were World War II veterans dressed in their military uniforms. The ensuing outcry and investigations would spread far beyond the south shore of Long Island and bring the story of racial tensions on Long Island to the national level. Christopher Verga returns on this episode to discuss that night, the Ferguson brothers, and the conditions on Long Island that led up to the deadly confrontation. His latest book, The Ferguson...
2022-11-2141 minThe Long Island History ProjectEpisode 165: The Ferguson Brothers with Christopher VergaTwo Black men were shot and killed by a police officer in Freeport on a cold winter morning in 1946. Another was wounded. All three were brothers, two were World War II veterans dressed in their military uniforms. The ensuing outcry and investigations would spread far beyond the south shore of Long Island and bring the story of racial tensions on Long Island to the national level. Christopher Verga returns on this episode to discuss that night, the Ferguson brothers, and the conditions on Long Island that led up to the deadly confrontation. His latest book, The Ferguson...
2022-11-2141 min
Backpacking AmericaEpisode 194: JuneteenthDr. Christopher Verga joins me to discuss the history of Juneteenth. We connect modern material issues and their consequences to June 19th 1865 through a discussion of America's disunified teaching and attitude towards our past.
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2022-06-2237 minBackpacking AmericaEpisode 192: Gun Control vs Gun BanMyself and Dr. Christopher Verga discuss the varying factors at play that have resulted in mass shootings in the United States. We also discuss what needs to be done about gun violence in America while keeping in mind the rich firearms culture that has been an integral part of our nation.
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2022-05-2858 minBackpacking AmericaEpisode 188: Roe & New YorkI am joined by Dr. Christopher Verga and Professor Nick Giordano to share our thoughts on Roe's potential overturn. We tackle questions that ask if and how New York would be effected, what will this do for national unity, how this will effect elections to come, and many more questions men and women around America have been asking.
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2022-05-131h 08Backpacking AmericaEpisode 187: The Right Wing & Long IslandDr. Christopher Verga joins me to discuss what led to the history of the Right wing on Long Island starting in the 1920's. We also discussed where we are at today in the battle between Progressive & Reactionary ideals, and how they impact Long Island politics.
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2022-05-0654 minBackpacking AmericaEpisode 185: Fire Island vs. Robert MosesDr. Christopher Verga informs us about the epic history between the residents of Fire Island and thir fight againsr Robert Moses' plan to build a four lane highway through 17 towns on Fire Island. We also discuss the importance of public transportation and the need to fight the bad in society, but to also acknowledge the good that a united working class always delivers.
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2022-04-2756 minBackpacking AmericaEpisode 182: Human Experiments on Long IslandDr. Christopher Verga returns to BPA for a discussion on the vast history of Human Experiments that came out of the quiet rural corridors in Suffolk County, Long Island. We cover the radiation experiments of Brookhaven Lab, the Disease Experiments on Plum Island, and debunk the conspiracies surrounding Plum Island.
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2022-04-2034 minBackpacking AmericaEpisode 180: History Drug Addiction on Long IslandJoin myself and Dr. Christopher Verga for a discussion on the history of drug addiction on Long Island. He is an adjunct professor at Suffolk County Community College and author of multiple books, includeding "Cold War Long Island". The afformentioned book, is where we begin our discussion. Dr. Verga pinpoints the socially engineered Levittown as the birthplace of Long Island's drug addiction issues.
Want to see more BPA content & show your support?: https://linktr.ee/BackpackingAmerica
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2022-04-1335 min
My HometownCold War Long IslandBill Horan and Mike DeMarco talk with Christopher Verga and Karl Grossman, the authors of a new book from Arcadia Publishing called Cold War Long Island, and learn about what Long Island was like after the end of World War 2 and how that shapes our home today.
2022-03-1027 min
The Long Island History ProjectCold War Long Island with Karl Grossman and Christopher Verga Journalist Karl Grossman and historian Christopher Verga have teamed up for the new book Cold War Long Island, out now from the History Press. In it, they detail the productive and tumultuous post-World War II years on Long Island. With an influx of returning GIs and an increase of military spending to counteract the growing strength of the Soviet Union and other communist countries, Nassau and Suffolk Counties saw rapid growth. Aviation companies like Republic and Grumman became household names and a housing boom, epitomized by suburban communities like Levittown, brought many people to the area.
2022-01-1846 minThe Long Island History ProjectCold War Long Island with Karl Grossman and Christopher Verga Journalist Karl Grossman and historian Christopher Verga have teamed up for the new book Cold War Long Island, out now from the History Press. In it, they detail the productive and tumultuous post-World War II years on Long Island. With an influx of returning GIs and an increase of military spending to counteract the growing strength of the Soviet Union and other communist countries, Nassau and Suffolk Counties saw rapid growth. Aviation companies like Republic and Grumman became household names and a housing boom, epitomized by suburban communities like Levittown, brought many people to the area.
2022-01-1846 min
Who’s Here in the HamptonsDan Rattiner Talks with Karl Grossman, Author & Journalist – Episode 51
Episode 51: This week on “Dan’s Talks,” Dan speaks with Karl Grossman, co-author of Cold War Long Island. The book, co-written by Christopher Verga, delves into the often overlooked history of the Cold War era in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Grossman has specialized in investigative reporting in a variety of media for more than 50 years and has hosted the nationally-aired TV program Enviro Close-Up for over 30 years.
2021-10-2725 min
Hoy TrasnocheHOLA HOY TRASNOCHE CÓMO ESTÁS CHUPAPIJALa Asociación de Bares Notables de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y el Gremio de Porteños que se paran como Parisinos manifiestan públicamente su repudio a los agravios emitidos por la conductora de este envío Fiorella Sargenti y anuncian que elevarán la correspondiente denuncia ante el INADI por estigmatización.
Mientras tanto, en este episodio de Hoy Trasnoche, TOTAL NORMALIDAD. Malignant y Prisoners of the Ghostland: una es buena y una es una (cito) “verga sifilítica”. Denis Villeneuve vs. Marvel Zombies. El pase de Christopher Nolan a Universal. Cada cuánto se lava sus...
2021-09-171h 16Hoy TrasnocheHOLA HOY TRASNOCHE CÓMO ESTÁS CHUPAPIJALa Asociación de Bares Notables de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y el Gremio de Porteños que se paran como Parisinos manifiestan públicamente su repudio a los agravios emitidos por la conductora de este envío Fiorella Sargenti y anuncian que elevarán la correspondiente denuncia ante el INADI por estigmatización.
Mientras tanto, en este episodio de Hoy Trasnoche, TOTAL NORMALIDAD. Malignant y Prisoners of the Ghostland: una es buena y una es una (cito) “verga sifilítica”. Denis Villeneuve vs. Marvel Zombies. El pase de Christopher Nolan a Universal. Cada cuánto se lava sus...
2021-09-171h 16
The Long Island History ProjectEpisode 147: Frank Romeo and a Personal History of PTSDFrank Romeo graduated from Bay Shore High School and enlisted in the US Army during the height of the Vietnam War. Despite fighting in the Tet Offensive and participating in secret missions in Cambodia, he maintains that his problems really started when he returned home. Christopher Verga joins us again as we sit down with Frank Romeo to talk about his experiences and struggles with PTSD in the years following the war. Frank found an outlet in art, turning his emotions into striking images. More recently, he walked the length of New York State, staying in homeless...
2021-09-1357 minThe Long Island History ProjectEpisode 147: Frank Romeo and a Personal History of PTSDFrank Romeo graduated from Bay Shore High School and enlisted in the US Army during the height of the Vietnam War. Despite fighting in the Tet Offensive and participating in secret missions in Cambodia, he maintains that his problems really started when he returned home. Christopher Verga joins us again as we sit down with Frank Romeo to talk about his experiences and struggles with PTSD in the years following the war. Frank found an outlet in art, turning his emotions into striking images. More recently, he walked the length of New York State, staying in homeless...
2021-09-1357 min
The Long Island History ProjectEpisode 145: Agent Orange on Long IslandWe finish out your special three-part series on Long Island's Vietnam veterans by looking at a second battle they faced in the years after the war: the effects of Agent Orange. By the late 1970s the effects of this chemical defoliant were becoming known and veterans began to mobilize. In Stamford, Connecticut former helicopter door gunner Paul Reuterschan, himself dying of cancer, teamed up with fellow vets Jimmy Sparrow and Frank McCarthy to form Agent Orange Victims International (now the HonorBound foundation). Paul's media advocacy and the group's persistence brought the matter to the public. And to...
2021-08-1534 minThe Long Island History ProjectEpisode 145: Agent Orange on Long IslandWe finish out your special three-part series on Long Island's Vietnam veterans by looking at a second battle they faced in the years after the war: the effects of Agent Orange. By the late 1970s the effects of this chemical defoliant were becoming known and veterans began to mobilize. In Stamford, Connecticut former helicopter door gunner Paul Reuterschan, himself dying of cancer, teamed up with fellow vets Jimmy Sparrow and Frank McCarthy to form Agent Orange Victims International (now the HonorBound foundation). Paul's media advocacy and the group's persistence brought the matter to the public. And to...
2021-08-1534 min
The Long Island History ProjectEpisode 144: Joe Giannini and the Vietnam WarWe continue our conversation with Long Island historian Christopher Verga, discussing his oral history interviews with Vietnam veterans from Long Island. Today we feature excerpts from Chris's interview with Joe Giannini. Joe was born in Brooklyn, moved to Massapequa and graduated from Hofstra University in 1966. Drafted soon after, he enlisted in the Marines, serving (and surfing) in country. Through his oral history, Joe describes the racial tensions he encoutnered during training at Camp Geiger, his exposure to Agent Orange, and what he experienced on his return to the States. Christopher Verga is seeking to document...
2021-07-2621 minThe Long Island History ProjectEpisode 144: Joe Giannini and the Vietnam WarWe continue our conversation with Long Island historian Christopher Verga, discussing his oral history interviews with Vietnam veterans from Long Island. Today we feature excerpts from Chris's interview with Joe Giannini. Joe was born in Brooklyn, moved to Massapequa and graduated from Hofstra University in 1966. Drafted soon after, he enlisted in the Marines, serving (and surfing) in country. Through his oral history, Joe describes the racial tensions he encoutnered during training at Camp Geiger, his exposure to Agent Orange, and what he experienced on his return to the States. Christopher Verga is seeking to document...
2021-07-2621 min
The Long Island History ProjectEpisode 143: Jack Parente and the Vietnam WarBorn and raised in Oyster Bay, Jack Parente found himself drafted into the Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam from 1968-1970 as a member of a reconnaissance unit of the 1st Calvary Division. Today we hear his story courtesy of Christopher Verga, a Long Island historian who has been interviewing the area's veterans in order to document and preserve a generation of soldiers neglected in their own time. This is the first in a series of episodes on the podcast. Working with Chris, we'll be bringing you further interviews and voices from Long Islanders involved with the...
2021-07-1023 minThe Long Island History ProjectEpisode 143: Jack Parente and the Vietnam WarBorn and raised in Oyster Bay, Jack Parente found himself drafted into the Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam from 1968-1970 as a member of a reconnaissance unit of the 1st Calvary Division. Today we hear his story courtesy of Christopher Verga, a Long Island historian who has been interviewing the area's veterans in order to document and preserve a generation of soldiers neglected in their own time. This is the first in a series of episodes on the podcast. Working with Chris, we'll be bringing you further interviews and voices from Long Islanders involved with the...
2021-07-1023 min