After spending 25 years as a hostage negotiator, SWAT member, FBI investigator and Ventura County Community College District Chief of Police, James Botting has accumulated many stories during his career.

Botting appeared in the Ventura College Reading Room on Sept. 24 to speak about his memoir “Bullets, Bombs and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.”

Being in the presence of a former FBI agent could have been daunting, but Botting started the evening speaking with a lighter subject. He briefly related his history outside of the FBI, and then explained why he was hesitant about writing a book.

Botting personalized the events he wrote of by explaining his perspective on the situation.

“To a lot of kids these events are a history book,” said Botting.

He was also very personal in describing his sentiments on the FBI in general. He went into great depth on the closeness of agents.

“It’s a great family. They take care of each other,” Botting said.

Botting also addressed negative attention towards the FBI and their work.

He never let any poor opinions of FBI agents affect his work.

“I go home saying ‘We did a good thing here today’,” Botting said.
Botting expressed in order to do the job properly, “we didn’t worry about it. We just did our jobs.”

Botting explained it is important to stay levelheaded and keep a positive attitude. These things are necessary not only for oneself, but for one’s family as well.

Botting spoke on the importance of staying out of trouble and off of drugs in order to have a career with the FBI. He also indicated the importance of obtaining a four-year college degree and speaking other languages.

Head of Ventura College Public Relations Alisa Moore was instrumental in having Botting speak at Ventura College.

After Botting spoke, she encouraged people to meet him and ask questions. Moore had nothing but good things to say about Botting and showed her gratitude for coming to Ventura College. Moore was quick to mention the fact that Botting had donated a copy of “Bullets, Bombs and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories” to the Ventura College Library.

Ventura College student Emily Rath was pleased with the speech.

“It was very interesting,” said Rath. “You never know what you are going to learn from these things.”

Botting appeared through the Ventura College Fall Arts & Lecture Series. For more information, call 805-654-6462.