One year ago today, my investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew,” made its debut at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY. The launch was an unforgettable, jubilant celebration that brought together family, friends, and close to a hundred supporters—all gathered to honor the culmination of my 33-year odyssey: decades of archival and field research across two countries and ten years dedicated to writing. The memoir’s premise, championing truth, justice, and compassion for “the least of us, among us” (Matthew 25), continues to inspire Brenda and me as we journey across the country in our RV, forging lifelong bonds and meeting countless individuals deeply touched by our experiences. My gratitude is immeasurable: to my steadfast siblings, our Episcopal Church, the Bluegrass Writers Studio, my publisher Milspeak Books, and all the readers, advocates, relatives and friends whose encouragement has breathed life into this endeavor. While I wish I could thank each of you in person, please know your support is deeply cherished.
To date, the memoir has garnered eleven literary awards and was the #2 bestselling nonfiction book at the Kentucky Book Festival and the #1 best-selling book in 2025 at my most favorite independent bookstore, A Likely Story, in Midway, KY. Yet the narrative of my father, and my own, remains unfinished, most recently marked by a FOIA lawsuit filed against the CIA in the US District Court in Washington, DC. I remain devoted to sharing our continued journey, buoyed by the enduring words of Belgian painter and writer, Erik Pevernagie: “Let us recognize the ethical significance of whistle-blowers, the sentinels of truth and justice, who guide society through the perils of ignorance and ensure that freedom remains grounded in transparency.”
James B. Wells 