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Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors, Vol. 13 Reading and RoundTable Discussion

Although I highly recommend watching the entire roundtable discussion, my reading of an essay published in this journal, where I miraculously discover and meet the man responsible for saving my grandfather’s life on a WWI battlefield, begins at 29:50 (click on Watch on YouTube).

Lives Cut Short & Stolen

Of the 58,281 names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, 33,103 were just 18 years old — barely adults, their lives cut short before they had truly begun. I am honored to join Vietnam War veteran Peter Berres for a timely conversation in recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The event takes place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Carnegie Center — the very place where I began writing my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. Together, Peter and I will explore the profound multigenerational…

Event with Military History Group

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking before the Military History group at the Scott County Library, which meets bimonthly. Having grown up as an avid reader of military history, I knew this was the perfect audience for my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. I was delighted when Jan Schiffer and Thomas Crowl from my writing group, The Bluegrass Writers Coalition, made a surprise appearance. As always, the best part of these author events is the rich conversations that unfold after the presentation.

“Burn the Mic” Event

Last night’s Burn the Mic event at the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning was a wonderful evening of poetry. Kevin Nance was the featured author, sharing work from his latest collection, Smoke, published by Accents Publishing. His poems were compelling throughout, but the ones that stayed with me most were those drawn from his relationship with his father and his childhood. I also had the chance to read some of my latest “protest poetry” — a form I’ve grown deeply invested in, both for the research it demands and the way it lets me channel my thoughts and feelings…

To the Remarkable Person We Met On a Florida Beach

Brenda and I are deeply grateful to the remarkable person we were fortunate to meet on a Florida beach, who prefers to remain anonymous. The bond we formed through our shared experiences of losing our fathers at a young age—and navigating the challenges and triumphs that followed—was both profound and inspiring. Your generosity in acquiring ten signed copies of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, to share with those dearest to you, means more than words can convey. That you asked me to inscribe each copy with a…

Event at Anderson County Street Fair

Yesterday, the Anderson County High School Indoor Street Fair turned out to be an unexpectedly rewarding experience. I signed and sold an entire box of books, but even more meaningful were the conversations I had with several fascinating people who felt compelled to have a copy of my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, either for themselves or a loved one. One young man, passionate about military history and hoping to one day receive a West Point appointment, visited my table multiple times before finally bringing his mother…

Invitation to National Whistleblower Appreciation Day on Capitol Hill

Yesterday, I received an official invitation to be honored, alongside my father, for our whistleblowing—an experience I chronicle in my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. The ceremony will be held during National Whistleblowing Appreciation Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 30th. I am deeply honored by this recognition and look forward to the celebration, especially with Brenda by my side.

The Elegant, Versatile, & Elusive “Twin Beech”

I finally saw the type of plane that carried my father to his death—a plane the CIA still refuses to declassify and release the crash investigation report for. Hoping to see it at the USAF Museum in Dayton, OH a few years ago, I learned it had been loaned to the Aviation Museum in Warner Robins, GA. Yesterday, on our way home from the Amelia Island Book Festival, Brenda and I stopped to see it. The following quote from my award-winning investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, captures my…

Event at Amelia Island Book Festival

Brenda and I recently completed another exciting phase of our 2026 book tour with a highly successful author event at the Amelia Island Book Festival, where we sold an entire box of books. As with previous events, the most rewarding aspect was connecting with readers and hearing their personal stories about what drew them to my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. We even sold several copies while relaxing at the beach, simply by engaging in conversation with fellow beachgoers.

Event at Georgia VFW Conference

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, also an author, served in Vietnam alongside his father, a WWII veteran. He wrote a book about his father titled “Undefeated, Untied, Unscored Upon,” which tells the story of the high school football team his father coached to a perfect 1957 season—no opposing team scored…

James Bradley, 5-Time best-selling author, contacted me about Because

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 lies, highlight the resilience of the Vietnamese people, and explore the theme of forgiveness. In an email to me on Thursday, he wrote: “His name is James and his father was Jack. My name is James and my father was also Jack. I wrote a…

Event at Anderson County Library

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 He Never Knew. Every story we hear touches us deeply.

2026 Book Tour Starts Today

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 Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew.” A gripping tale of wartime whistleblower heroism, spy intrigue, moral courage, miracles, and love—all woven into one unforgettable journey. Where: Potluck and Learn @ The Library, Clark County Public Library, Winchester, KY. As space is limited, please…

Kickoff to 2026 Book Tour

“…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 CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew,” at the Potluck and Learn @ The Library program at the Clark County Public Library in Winchester, KY, on January 22 at 6:00 pm. As space is limited, please register at https://events.getlocalhop.com/learn-the-library-because-a-cia-coverup-and-a-sons-odyssey-to-find-the-father-he-never-knew/event/am29EGse7d/

“Because” #1 in Sales at A Likely Story Bookstore

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 was amazed when they traveled to my father’s hometown, Minford, OH, to sell copies of my book at an author event I held there. How many bookstores are willing to do that? Thank you for making Because your #1 seller in 2025! I hope…

“Because” Shortlisted

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 2025 Military and Front Line Finalists. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17gYc7ybei/

Redaction Deja Vu

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 documents, previously held by Air America personnel and donated directly to the archives, bypassed CIA scrutiny and redaction. The unredacted records were instrumental in enabling me to confirm a government lie and a CIA coverup surrounding my father’s death. As in the Epstein files that…

“Because” Ranks #2 in Nonfiction Sales

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. To learn more about “Because,” which has garnered seven book awards to date, discover where it’s available, or request a signed copy—a perfect gift—please visit my website: https://jamesbwells.com/

“Because” Ranks #4 at Kentucky’s Largest Literary Event

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 everyone who picked up a copy. If you’d like to learn more about “Because,” which has received seven book awards so far, such as where it is available or if you’re interested in a signed copy that makes a wonderful gift, please visit my website:…

“Because” Awards To Date

Independent Author Awards WINNER – Military Nonfiction International Impact Book Award WINNER Military – Military Memoirs & Biographies NYC Big Book Award DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE – Military Nonfiction Reader Views Literary Awards 5 STAR REVIEW RECOGNITION Best Book Awards by American Book Fest FINALIST History – Military International Book Awards FINALIST History – Military  Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards FINALIST – Non-Fiction: Military/War

“Because” Receives 5 Star Review

There are so many wonderful things said in this Reader Views review of my investigative memoir, I plan to highlight my favorite ones, starting with this: “Vietnam radically changed the way American writers approach the war narrative. This is not to say that James B. Wells’ current tome, Because: A CIA Coverup & a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, is a war narrative, really, but it uses one of the country’s most unpopular conflicts to examine issues that reach beyond any standard retelling of a military scandal or incompetence by superior officers. The book instead focuses on…

Event at Estill County Library

Yesterday, Brenda and I had a memorable experience with the veterans group at the Estill County Library. My presentation of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, was especially meaningful for both me and the veterans group, as it focused on it focused on how military veterans, their family members, and others who have been traumatized by war or other events and have unanswerable questions may learn how to seek answers, conquer pain, and achieve peace from my story. A representative from the local VA office attended the presentation with…

Nuremberg

A rough draft of an unfinished chapter of my father’s life that did not make it into my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, is about my father’s duties while in Nuremberg from 1946 to 1952. He was a Provost Sergeant in charge of a special confinement unit with the 793rd MP Battalion that was in charge of security at the Nuremberg war crimes trials. We know from the historical record that he was involved in the confinement of the Nazi war criminals and may have had some involvement…

Event at Spencer County Public Library

Brenda and I had a wonderful time today at the Spencer County Library in Taylorsville. I discussed and signed copies of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Cover-Up and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. We particularly enjoyed the discussion afterward, where we had the opportunity to meet and converse with people whose life experiences often shared something in common with my own story. Adding a PowerPoint to my presentation where audience members can read excerpts of my father’s letters and meet some of the people I interviewed, including eyewitnesses to my father’s death, has already…

Event at Woodford County Public Library

My Veterans Day presentation for my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Cover-up and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, was particularly meaningful last night, as it took place in Versailles—a location featured in the final chapters where several members from St. John’s Episcopal Church were included as characters. I would like to thank Tommy Dennison and the other library staff for their support during the event, A Likely Story Bookstore for providing copies of my book, and some members of St. John’s for attending.

A Soldier’s Prayer

On this Veteran’s Day, I honor the sacrifices made by those in uniform, including the thoughts and prayers they offered to help them come to grips with what they have to do. “I live good enough when I am out then its hell. I take a few jugs of whiskey with me, my prayer book and bible. But you know I’ve never seen a battle or war fought to victory on prayer so I work like hell, drink like hell, and say oh God of God light of light forgive me for my hate but perhaps you will understand part…

“A Right to Go – Come As We Choose and to Breathe Air Without the Smell of Gunpowder”

Most of the 400 letters I discovered after my father’s death in Vietnam were love letters. Because of this, I felt compelled to include a chapter in the draft of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, where I resurrect his words and actions through a couple of these letters. In these letters, he reminisces about his honeymoon with my mother, and writes a beautiful and amazingly elegant quote, that still haunts and blesses me to this day To write this chapter, I conducted extensive research and consulted several…

Fantastic Day at the Kentucky Book Festival

We had a fantastic day at the Kentucky Book Festival yesterday. Sales at my table were terrific, and I thoroughly enjoyed my participation in the panel titled “Uncovering Family,” where all four panelists discussed their nonfiction works to an engaged audience. It was meaningful to be at the same bookstore where I launched my investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew,” during the 2025 Father’s Day weekend last June. Since the launch, Brenda and I have spent our summer and fall on a whirlwind Florida-to-Maine Book tour in our RV,…

Event at the Kentucky Book Festival

Whether or not time, shame, ambivalence, prejudice, or the government has intentionally buried secrets about a member of your family, you’ll want to attend this panel on “Uncovering Family” at 11:00 am on the KCTCS stage at the Kentucky Book Festival tomorrow. Three other panelists and I will discuss our books and focus on the unexpected elements and complications we uncover through our research. Before and after the panel I’ll be on the lower level discussing and signing my investigative memoir about my father’s still CIA classified death in Vietnam.

Event at West Virginia Book Festival

West Virginia continued to welcome us this week with lots of great conversation and book sales at the West Virginia Book Festival in Charleston. With West Virginia having one of the highest per-capita rates of veterans, I was hoping my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, would attract a lot of attention…and it did. My mother’s family was from West Virginia, and “cousins” Mary Taylor, Butch, and Leah Green honored her, Brenda, and me by paying us a visit, where we got to catch up and talk about old…

Event at Shawnee State University

Yesterday, we had a great author event at the Kricker Innovation Hub at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH. I was in conversation with Andrew Feight, Professor of American History and the Director of the Center for Public History. The event was attended by several locals, including cousin Mary Jo Pfleger, friend Laura Womack, students, and a character from my book. Dan Sullivan and his wife, Kathy, drove 12 hours from Nebraska to see me at this author event. I was blown away! Dan wrote a book, The Murder of the Real Jack Ryan, a USAID Public Safety Advisor, whom…

WSAZ TV Interview

WSAZ TV Channel 3 in Huntington, WV did an excellent job with their interview of me discussing my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew

Event at Our Heroes Military Museum

Our last event in Maine was at Our Heroes Military Museum in Lincoln. This is an incredible museum, all run by volunteers, most of whom are veterans. The veterans who attended the author event for my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, asked some great questions and really appreciated my story and book tour. Incredibly, they all bought hardbacks instead of paperbacks. When I asked why, they all said, “It’s because we’re all collectors!” Duh! What would you expect from veterans who collect various memorabilia to put in a…

Podcast with Mission 22

Marcus Farris, an Army Veteran, engineer, and psychological operations officer who serves as the Post-Traumatic Growth Director at Mission 22, a non-profit organization that teaches veterans and families how to recover, reconnect, and rebuild, recently interviewed me for their Resiliency Program, a holistic initiative designed to support veterans, active-duty military, and their families in healing from trauma. Marcus did an excellent job with some unique and interesting questions for this Mission 22 podcast.

Event at Ellsworth Public Library

The Ellsworth Public Library and Union River Book and Toy Company hosted a fantastic author event last night for my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. I want to extend special thanks to Assistant Director Renee McManus and, particularly, to Berit Becker, the Communications and Development Director, for promoting the event and arranging interviews with two local radio stations. I also appreciate Joanna Dotts for spreading the word with her friends and neighbors. We had a great turnout, and Union River Book and Toy Company sold out nearly all…

Event at Collingswood Book Festival

Brenda and I had a fantastic time at the Collingswood Book Festival in New Jersey. This was one of the largest book festivals we have ever attended, featuring over six blocks of streets lined with two rows of 10×10 pop-up tents where authors sold their books. The weather was perfect, sales were great; we sold about a box of books to a diverse range of customers. What struck me most about the day was the number of people who, after hearing my brief pitch and reading a few testimonials on the back of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup…

Event with Lutheran Men’s Book Club

Last night in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, I met with a fantastic group of men, all of whom are affiliated with the Lutheran Church. They chose my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father they Never Knew, as the book for their club to read and study this month. What’s really incredible is that I never intended for my book to take on a spiritual theme. Still, after encountering numerous miraculous experiences during my odyssey that my training as a research scientist could not explain, I had to rely on my faith and the…

Fall Book Tour Continues

Our Fall Book Tour with my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, continues: September 30 | Crestview Hills, KY | Book Club Meeting | Discussion and Signing Because | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Books will be available at the event. October 4 | Collingswood, NJ | The Collingswood Book Festival | Discussion and signing Because | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | Books are available to pre-order at most bookstores or at the event. October 8 | Bangor, ME | The Briar Patch BookSpace – 48 Columbia…

60th Anniversary of a Whistleblower’s Death

On the 60th anniversary of my father’s death in Vietnam on September 27, 1965, I want to highlight that he was a whistleblower long before the term “whistleblower” was widely recognized. His first documented case occurred in March 1948 when he was a 21-year-old Provost Sergeant at the Nürnberg War Crimes Trials. Other documented instances occurred in Vietnam during his first tour in 1962, when he served as a US Army Counter-Insurgency Expert and Battalion Weapons Advisor. In 1965, while working as a Senior Public Safety Advisor with USAID’s Office of Public Safety, he blew the whistle on widespread corruption…

Seek the Truth

Not bad advice for current times from someone who witnessed the lies throughout most of the Vietnam War. BTW, Chuck has focused much of his post-Vietnam War life on being the co-founder of Project RENEW, which focuses on mitigating war legacies, including UXO and Agent Orange/dioxin.

Print Media Still Pays Off

Special thanks and gratitude to Stephen Vest, publisher of Kentucky Monthly, and to Steve Flairty’s Book Review, “Deeply Personal Search,” of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, and to Kentucky author and Poet Laureate, Richard Taylor, for his terrific testimonial of my book in the review. A member of a men’s book club in northern Kentucky, who was able to contact me, said, “As soon as I first became aware of your book by reading about it in the Kentucky Monthly, I knew that it would be my…

Event at North Georgia Book Fair

Brenda and I spent the day yesterday at the North Georgia Book Fair on the campus of the University of North Georgia (UNG). I left that campus (North Georgia College (NGC) then) more than 30 years ago to take on a position at Eastern Kentucky University that allowed me to not only teach but also to do unlimited research. Brenda and I could hardly recognize the former NGC campus. In addition to selling some books, I was a panelist on a panel about researching and writing history for fiction and nonfiction works, where I focused on how historical fiction and…

Event with Book Club

The Suspicious Minds and Snacktime Book Club, which was formed as a result of my book, welcomed me with welcome arms, food, and gifts when I showed up for their fifth meeting about my book. This book club impressed me so much. They came with lists of questions, and when discussing the book in one of their earlier meetings, bought a map of Vietnam to see where Jack and I had been. They had a gift bag for me containing items a detective should have including disguises), as well as a wood bookmark with “Because” engraved in the same font…

On My Mother’s Birthday

On my mother’s birthday this year, the same day we start our fall book tour, I can’t help but think of her involvement in my story and what led to my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. In many of my father’s 400 letters, I found 26 years after his death, he left clues about what actually led to his death and why, and which I was later able to confirm through my archival and field research. My mother left a clue after her death, which I was able…

EVENT WITH SPINDLEKINDLES BOOK CLUB & SPINDLETOP HALL

Brenda and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Spindletop Hall, accompanied by an engaging audience that asked insightful questions about my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. I would like to thank Cheryl Jones, the chairperson of SpindleKindles Book Club, and Becca Morrison, the Club Services Manager at Spindletop Hall, for the invitation and the meal.

Upcoming Event at Spindletop Hall

I am super excited about this author event with SpindleKindles Book Club at Spindletop Hall on September 4th. Interest has grown so much that the Alumni Club Member Services Director has had to switch to a buffet-style dinner to serve everyone more efficiently. Given that this event is the first one of our fall tour (we took a few weeks off after finishing our summer tour), it’s also extra special to me because of the critical University of Kentucky (UK) connection to my investigative memoir about my father’s still CIA-classified death in Vietnam. Vietnam War scholar George C. Herring (now…

“Suspicious Minds & Snacktime” Bookclub

As a result of my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, being released, these amazing women from the Odyssey Charter School in Georgia decided to form their book club, which they named “Suspicious Minds & Snacktime.” I was so taken with their themed menu preparations (zoom in & read them) and pictures from their first meeting, I made it a point to promise them that I would stop by and discuss my memoir with them when they meet again in September. I can’t wait!

Event with Highland Books in Brevard, NC

What an incredible author event Highland Books hosted for my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, at the Mary C. Jenkins Center in Brevard, NC! Over one hundred people attended, making this event almost as popular as my memoir’s initial launch. What made it also truly special was that I was in conversation with my brother, Dr. Ora Wells, who is also a character in my book. Much of our discussion centered around three photographs of our father that are in my memoir and several letters he wrote, which…

Event at Snail on the Wall

We had a full house at Snail on the Wall Bookstore in Huntsville, AL last night, where I engaged in conversation with my sister Kathleen. We discussed my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. Kathleen, a former English literature teacher, prompted me to read and respond to questions that corresponded to each step of the archetypal hero’s journey, drawing parallels to characters such as Odysseus, Frodo, Moses, Harry Potter, and Luke Skywalker. Brenda and I would like to express our gratitude to Kathleen, Lady Smith, Christina Tabereaux, and the…

The Archetypal Hero Journey in “Because”

Our parents exposed my siblings and me to books throughout our childhoods. We read and reread the complete set of The Book of Knowledge, an early form of Google. Our parents took us to military post libraries, and our homes were always filled with books and at least a dozen magazine subscriptions, including National Geographic, Reader’s Digest, Life, Boy’s Life, Time, Popular Science, and Popular Mechanics. My sister Kathleen attributes this exposure to her becoming an addict of literature, who decided early on to make it her career goal to become an English literature teacher. Throughout her career, she aimed…

Event in Pensacola

After leaving Georgia, Brenda and I spent yesterday afternoon in Pensacola, Florida, where I was invited by Barnes & Noble to do a signing event. What I love about these smaller signing events is the opportunity to engage in lengthy conversations with people who are possibly interested in my book. Imagine my surprise when one of my former graduate students from 2001 walked in—Dr. Lisa Carter. She is now a tenured full professor at Florida Southern College in Lakeland and is highly respected in the field of criminology. Lisa drove with her husband, Karl, for eight hours to see me.…

Event at Myrte’s Plot Twist

Last night, Brenda and I hosted another author event that I never wanted to end. Relatives, friends, former high school classmates, Vietnam War veterans, and readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), who had read Book Critic Suzanne Van Atten’s feature story in the Father’s Day edition, spent over two hours discussing my investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, at Myrtle’s Plot Twist in Griffin, GA. We spent the evening together, enjoying food and drinks while sharing laughter and tears. The staff at Myrtle’s, William and Brittany, took great care…

Second Signing & Discussion Event at St. John’s

A second signing event was held at St. John’s for interested parties who are not members of the congregation. Former elementary and high school classmates of Brenda and I (including a character from my book), and even my older siblings, former neighbors, including those we grew up with and from when we were married adults, showed up to reconnect with us, purchase signed books, and share stories of my father and us from long ago. Brenda and I were amazed to hear from old friends how my father had positively impacted their lives, including their envy of how my siblings…

Discussion & Signing for Congregation of St. John’s in College Park

Imagine our surprise when Brenda and I walked in the church I was raised in, that buried my father, and Brenda and I were wed in, to discover a candle burning at the base of the stained-glass window of “Christ Healing the Sick” purchased with proceeds from my father’s memorial fund. The entire congregation had been informed of our visit and warmly welcomed us back home. During announcements Father Alex brought tears to my face acknowledging our family’s involvement with the church. After the service and brunch, Father Alex led a discussion about my spiritual journey, followed by a Q&A…

Events at Liberty Books

Friday and Saturday evenings I did signings at Liberty Books, a quaint and historic bookstore in downtown Lawrenceville GA. There I met old friends and new friends, several of which were drawn to the bookstore based upon the feature story Atlanta Journal-Constitution book critic Suzanne Van Atten did on my book and me for the Father’s Day edition. Relatives, high school classmates, former neighbors, former students from when I was a graduate teaching assistant in the early 1990s at Georgia State University, lovers of history, readers wanting to know more about how to stand up against injustice and corruption, some…

Whistleblower Network News Podcast

Thank you, Jane Turner and Whistleblower Network News, for the interview and podcast that highlighted my father’s whistleblowing efforts during the early part of the Vietnam War. Organizations like Whistleblower Network News play a crucial role in reminding Americans that whistleblowing has been, and continues to be, an essential aspect of our democracy since its founding. I encourage everyone to listen to this podcast and similar ones, and to take action in reporting injustice, corruption, and any illegal, immoral, or illegitimate activities.

Event at my Father’s Hometown

The author event in my father’s hometown of Minford, Ohio, turned out to be an incredible experience. Brenda, our daughter Millicent, and my brother Ora reconnected with many friends we hadn’t seen in decades and with relatives we hadn’t seen for a while. I would like to thank my brother, Dr. Ora Wells, for serving as my discussant and for posing some thought-provoking questions. I’m also grateful to my cousin, Mary Jo Pfleger, for all the effort she put into promoting the event in the Minford community. I also want to thank the Portsmouth Regional Airport for the use of…

Alumni Reading

Wow! What a night! I was honored to be invited by my former Blue Grass Writers Studio MFA program to be one of the featured readers at the Alumni reading at Dreaming Creek Brewery last night. It was quite a rush to see your reading resonate with new students who were not familiar with you, as well as students confessing that your research and writing have influenced what and why they want to write. Brenda and I took a box of books and sold out of every one. It was 10 years ago that I began this MFA program and…

“Echoes Here of Hamlet”

In Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, “There are echoes here of Hamlet’s search for the father cut off in the prime of life under circumstances that are purported to be true but are actually false. Hamlet’s quest is to find the truth and thus put his father finally at ease.” – Larry Abbott, The Wrath Bearing Tree

From the Vietnam Veterans of America

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 of a war that harmed so many, perhaps shaping events to avoid similar tragedies in the future.”-The VVA Veteran, a publication of the Vietnam Veterans of America

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 He Never Knew. To my surprise, I encountered one of my most memorable graduate students from EKU, Laura McCoun McCauley, whom I had not seen in almost 20 years. Laura, her friend Fred, and I enjoyed reminiscing and discussing how the themes of my book…

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 novel, and mine, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, is an investigative memoir, both books explore the Vietnam War and how the echoes of the past can continue to reverberate through later generations.

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 book, stating that it “unearths the spiritual truths that bind a son to his father” and helped me gain “an understanding of a deeper spiritual wisdom that transcends cultures.” I was pleased to delve deeper into that topic during our conversation. I was thrilled that…

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 carry a weapon with him at all times. This is documented in his own letters and revealed in my investigative memoir, “Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father the Never Knew.” Interestingly, the term “whistleblower” did not gain prominence until the 1960s.