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.

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:

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.

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

There are so many wonderful things said in this 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…

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 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.

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.

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.

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 of this hate is for the love of you.

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; Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew, where I resurrect his words and actions through a couple of these letters.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Our last event in Maine was at Our Heroes Military Museum. 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.

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.

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.