I am truly excited about our upcoming journey in our RV to Wooster on November 7, 2026, for the 39th Annual Buckeye Book Fair at the Greystone Event Center. As an invited author, my book, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew,” along with an exhibit, will […]
Author: James b. Wells
JAMES B. WELLS is a retired criminology and criminal justice professor in the School of Justice Studies in the College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science at Eastern Kentucky University, and is the recipient of the 2025 Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences John Howard Award, an award given intermittently, upon significant demand, to recognize an individual who has made significant and sustained contributions to the practice of corrections. A former carpenter, soldier, and correctional officer in a super-maximum-security prison and later as a researcher/planner assisting architects in prison design, he has multiple degrees, including an M.S. in Criminal Justice, a Ph.D. in Research, and an MFA in Creative Writing. He’s authored or co-authored over sixty-five books, chapters, articles, and essays, as well as over a hundred and fifty research reports for various local, state, and federal agencies. Recent essays from his research and memoir work appear or are forthcoming in Collateral Journal, About Place Journal, Wild Roof Journal, Military Experience and the Arts, The Wrath-Bearing Tree, Shift, Proud to be: Writing by American Warriors, Trajectory Journal, and From Pen to Page III: More Writings from the Bluegrass Writers Coalition.
His investigative memoir about his father's still CIA-classified death in Vietnam in 1965, titled Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, will be launched on Father's Day weekend, 2025. Links to publications, presentations, trailers, social media, blog, and other information can be found at https://jamesbwells.com. James enjoys spending much of his leisure time with his spouse on their Lexington, Kentucky farm located on the palisades of the Kentucky River, where he is an organic gardener and beekeeper.
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Whistleblowing Fact 1264:
Whistleblower Major Jack J. Wells, whose mysterious death on September 27, 1965, in an Air America aircraft over Vietnam remains classified by the CIA, would have celebrated his 100th birthday today, were it not for the shadowy forces that shaped his tragic fate. His youngest son’s powerful investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a […]
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Father’s Day Message
Father, your remarkable ability to defy fate, your boundless love for truth, justice, “the least of us among us,” and your unwavering faith, has led me to believe, now, more than ever, that, had you not crossed paths with the tragic fate that awaited you on that September 27, 1965 Air America flight, the event […]
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 […]
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“Because” Earns NIEA Award
My investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew,” achieved another milestone this past week, garnering its 11th literary accolade. The book was named a finalist in the Military Nonfiction category of the National Indie Excellence Awards, a respected honor within the self-publishing and independent press […]
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Event at Kenton County Library
I thoroughly enjoyed presenting my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, at the Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Library last night. The library is beautiful and features an excellent space for author events. I am especially grateful to Mary Burkey, the Program […]
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Radio Talk Show about “Because”
Dr. Jeremy Kuzmarov, who holds a Ph.D. in American history from Brandeis University and serves as the managing editor of Covert Action Magazine, and investigative journalist Gloria Guillo recently interviewed me about my investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew,” on the radio talk show […]
Dr. Jeremy Kuzmarov, who holds a Ph.D. in American history from Brandeis University, author of several books, and serves as the managing editor of Covert Action Magazine, reviewed my award-winning investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew,” and wrote an article about it. I was […]
This Memorial Day, I pause to honor and remember all the brave men and women who gave their lives in defense of our Constitution and the freedoms we cherish as Americans. Their sacrifices are etched into the heart of our nation, and their courage is the foundation upon which our country stands. I also reflect […]
Earlier this year, I learned that my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, was shortlisted and ultimately became a finalist for the highly respected Chanticleer International Book Awards in the Military & Front Lines Service to Others Non-Fiction Category. Last night, I received the […]
James B. Wells 