Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew “is a detective narrative chronicling a skilled researcher analyzing letters, reports, and interviews to bring closure for himself and his family, while also providing a record of events from half a century ago. James Wells’ efforts add to our understanding […]
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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Events at From the Ground Up Books
Over the past two consecutive days, Brenda and I visited both branches of From the Ground Up Books in the charming towns of Shepherdsville and LaGrange, KY. I had the opportunity to meet locals and tourists while selling copies of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Cover-Up and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father […]
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Event at Carmichael’s
I would like to thank Ellen Birkett Morris for speaking with me last night at Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville. I would like to extend a special thanks to event coordinator Alex, who did a marvelous job with the setup. Autographed copies of both of our books are available at the store. Although Ellen’s book, Beware the Tall Grass, is a […]
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Event in Frankfort
Last night, I had the honor of conversing with Kentucky Poet Laureate and author Richard Taylor at the Paul Sawyer Library in Frankfort. During our discussion, Richard asked me questions about my investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Cover-Up and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew.” He wrote an amazing testimonial about my […]
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International Whistleblower Day
On this International Whistleblower Day, I am proud to highlight my father, Jack J. Wells. As early as March 1948, while serving as a 21-year-old Provost Sergeant at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, he acted as a whistleblower, risking his own safety so much he had to sleep with a gun under his pillow and […]
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Event at Read Spotted Newt
Yesterday, I was honored that local author Matthew Sidney Parsons, someone I admire very much, chose to be in discussion with me about my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, at Read Sotted Newt Bookstore in Hazard. Given Matt’s interests and background, he asked […]
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Event at Our Saviour
Last night, the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Richmond hosted a wonderful author event and book signing for my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. Episcopal Deacon Emily Cardwell, a character from one of the closing chapters of my book, asked me insightful […]
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Events at Bert’s SpeakCheezy
It was the first of the year when I stepped into Bert’s SpeakCheezy in Berea and thought, “What a wonderful place for writers and others to gather, do readings, and hold author events.” Last night, Brenda and I held the first author event and reading/signing there with my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Cover-Up and […]
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Event at St. John’s
Last night, I was in conversation with Rev. Dr. Christian Brady at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Versailles, KY, a location where some chapters of “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew” actually took place. Following a discussion and Q&A session with the audience, the church hosted a […]
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Event at Faith Lutheran
Last night was truly memorable as we laughed, cried, and groaned during the author event and reception held by Faith Lutheran Church and “The Evening Sophia Book Club” for Brenda and me. We shared reflections on various aspects of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never […]
James B. Wells 