Nazis of Long Island: Sedition, Espionage and the Plot Against America

by Christopher C. Verga, Karl Grossman (Foreword)

In Yaphank, New York, hid the greatest threat to the United States war effort during World War II: the American Nazi.

Building on racial and ethnic biases, lack of trust in government, and a dose of conspiracies, the German American Bund was able to contribute to a growing American fascist movement. Fueled partially by Nazi Germany's financing of propaganda, thousands of New Yorkers embraced the ideals of an American Reich through retreats such as Yaphank's Camp Siegfried that groomed Nazi sympathizers to be ready for the fascist overthrow of the American Republic. In opposition to Nazism, multiple local citizen groups fought to combat the Bund's organized efforts to undermine America.

Author Christopher Verga brings to life the often-overlooked history of New York's World War II era through a story of Nazi sedition, espionage, and citizen resistance to preserve the American Republic.

176 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Lindsey Toranzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having always been taught that NY was a leader in democratic ideals this book is very eye opening. NY has been advertised as a culturally inclusive environment taught to be seen as a place of safety for people especially fleeing discrimination in the South. This book shows instead the complexities of the sociocultural landscape and how people used those wider beliefs about NY to play political games with individuals. Political language is recycled, reused, and spread without addressing the historical roots. All High Schools/US history classes on Long Island should be teaching this local history.