Small Town, Big Secrets

by Sally J. Ling

In 1940 the city of Boca Raton, Florida'a quiet, sleepy town with a small population?was unaware that it would become the focus of an important and secret operation that would prove critical in the impending world war. However, like the rest of the country, December 7, 1941, thrust Boca Raton into a war effort that would consume its resources and citizens for the next four years. As America mobilized, Boca Raton became the location of a new army airfield on which a select portion of the country's new military recruits would be trained in the use of airborne radar?at the time a top-secret and still developing experimental technology.

"Small Town, Big Secrets", by local author and columnist Sally J. Ling, retraces for the first time the development of the base, its impact on Boca Raton, the life of base soldiers and the development and impact of airborne radar in the war. Engrossing and thoroughly researched, this history is poignant and has gone untold until now.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2005

About the author

Sally J. Ling, Florida’s History Detective, is an author, speaker, and historian. She writes historical nonfiction, specializing in obscure, unusual, or little-known stories of Florida history and mysteries with a Florida connection.

As a special correspondent, Sally wrote for the Sun-Sentinel newspaper for four years and was a contributing journalist for several South Florida magazines.

Based upon her knowledge as well as excerpts from her books, Sally has appeared in three feature-length TV documentaries—“Gangsters,” the National Geographic Channel; “The Secret Weapon that Won World War II,” and “Prohibition and the South Florida Connection,” WLRN, Miami. She served as associate producer on the latter production. She has also appeared in and served as a production consultant for several short documentaries on South Florida history produced by WLRN, Miami.

Sally has been a repeat guest on South Florida PBS TV and radio stations, guest presenter at the Lifelong Learning Society at Florida Atlantic University, and guest speaker at numerous historical societies, libraries, organizations, and schools.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book belonged to my grandpa, who was stationed at this airfield at the tail end of WWII. I had never appreciated this aspect of his military career before, include his radio education, which took place in Boca Raton.

For me, the book was fascinating because of the family connection. You may find it interesting if you're a WWII buff or live in the area.

[Josh Liller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting little book about an air base in Florida during the 1940s. The site is now home to the Boca Raton Airport and Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Florida had quite a variety of different bases during the war, mostly for training. The author made the most out of oral history interviews and the resources of the local historical society. There are alot of nice photos in the book.

The edition I got had some odd publishing errors. An incomplete paragraph on one pages starts over on the next page, but is completed on the second try. A couple other paragraphs at the end of pages that are never completed; the next page starts at the beginning of the next paragraph.

Recommended for those interested in South Florida history and/or the World War II homefront.

[Mary Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat interesting but not really for me. Some of the minutia, I thought, was unnecessary.

[Johanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of interest to locals.