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, 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Tomorrow, I will revisit with some key characters from my investigative memoir at one of the actual scenes where incredible revelations from “Because: A CA Coverup and A Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew” were brought to light. Join us at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Versailles, KY, located at 210 N. […]
How do you resolve the unresolvable? How do you find peace with what is known and unknown? Can a soul reach out for help and be rescued? This evening at 7:00 pm at 1000 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, KY, I will be in conversation with a key character from the closing chapters of my investigative […]
Despite the simultaneous occurrence of a large book festival and protest marches in Lexington and nearby cities, Brenda and I were delighted to see around 100 people attend the book launch and post-launch reception of Because: A CIA Cover-Up and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. We are especially grateful to our […]
When it rains it pours! I just found out this morning that my interview with Tom Martin and his program Eastern Standard about my investigative memoir Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew will air on WEKU 88.9 FM at 1 pm and 8 pm today, and 6 […]
I’m thrilled to see a review of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, by Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) book critic Suzanne Van Atten as the feature story in the online edition of the AJC’s Arts & Entertainment section this morning. It will also appear […]
James B. Wells