James B. WellsJAMES 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.
Yesterday, Brenda and I attended the Georgia VFW Mid-Winter Conference at the Macon Marriott City Center. We sold several books, but the true highlight of my author events at VFW gatherings is always connecting with the veterans and, occasionally, their widows who serve in the VFW Auxiliary. One gentleman, LTC (US Army Retired) Jim Droskinis, […]
Talk about serendipity! James Bradley, a five-time New York Times best-selling author, whose books grace my office, contacted me via email. We are now reading each other’s latest work and corresponding. His latest novel, Precious Freedom—like my investigative memoir Because—through decades of research, aims to reveal the truth about US involvement in Vietnam, expose the […]
We want to thank the Anderson County Public Library for hosting our second 2026 author event. What Brenda and I enjoy most about these events is talking with attendees and learning what prompted them to come hear me discuss my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father […]
40 people have already registered—momentum is building! Beat the weekend snow—join us for great food, compelling conversation, and a story that will stay with you. Join us this Thursday, January 22, at 6:00 pm for the kick-off event of our 2026 book tour celebrating the award-winning investigative memoir “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s […]
“…and I don’t give a dam if I am quieted!” — Jack J. Wells, Senior Public Safety Division Advisor, South Vietnam, August 18, 1965, six weeks before his death in a CIA Air America plane crash, still classified by the CIA. We kick off our 2026 book tour for my award-winning investigative memoir, “Because: A […]
A Likely Story in Midway is my favorite bookstore! They go above and beyond to support local authors. Ashlee and Annie were instrumental in helping me get my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, into the hands of as many readers as possible. […]
I’m thrilled that my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, has moved forward in the judging rounds from all 2025 Military and Front Line Non-Fiction entries to the 2025 Military and Front Line Book Awards SHORT LIST. It is now in competition for the […]
The heavily redacted Epstein files released by the DOJ remind me of the similarly redacted files the CIA sent me after I filed FOIA requests for information about my father’s still-classified death. Remarkably, at the Air America Archives at the University of Texas at Dallas, I discovered many of the same files, completely unredacted. These […]
I’m deeply grateful that my investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew,” was recognized as the #2 best-selling Nonfiction title at Kentucky’s largest literary event, The Kentucky Book Festival. Sincere thanks to Jay McCoy, the KBF team, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, and everyone who purchased a copy. […]
I’m truly honored that my investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew,” was ranked #4 as one of the 10 best-selling titles at Kentucky’s largest literary event, The Kentucky Book Festival. My heartfelt thanks go to Jay McCoy, the entire KBF team, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, and […]
James B. Wells