Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days

I originally decided to read this book after watching the inspired movie adaptation, "Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland." I was a little hesitant, even though I really liked the movie. I just wasn't sure if it was just another novel trying to profit off of his death. However, l'm so glad that I took a chance with this one! I was hooked from the very first page. This book was so amazing, so admirable, so heartfelt, and so honest. This book made me smile. This book made me laugh. This book made me cry. This book even made me angry at certain points. But more than anything, this book gave me HOPE. It gave me hope that there are still good people on this Earth with the purest intentions. Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard are the narrator's of this story. While reading this book, you really grew to respect these gentlemen immensely. They had so much integrity, and it showed throughout all their actions. They were so loyal to Michael Jackson. I know it had to be frustrating at times, but I truly believe they wanted the best for him and his family. They wanted him as well as his children to have normalcy in their lives. They never took advantage or abused their power. They never tried to influence his decisions for personal gain. They allowed him his privacy. They went above and beyond the standard protocol for bodyguards. Michael Jackson was a complicated human being. He was far from perfect, but he had an angelic heart. His kindness and compassion are hard to find, but he found those same qualities in his two bodyguards. Throughout this book, you get a better grasp and understanding of the man behind the music. You read about all his insecurities, his worries, his hopes and dreams. You get to know more about his character. He was so compassionate, so loving, so nurturing, and so in touch with humanity. You also get a glimpse into his life as a devoted father. You learn that everything wasn't sunshine and rainbows, at least when it came to his financial matters. He surrounded himself with a lot of calculated people. They were greedy, self-serving, and downright "evil". This book really opens your eyes to just how cutthroat, how backstabbing, and how fake people can really be. I strongly recommend this book to all of his fans as well as the people who are misinformed. I feel like Michael Jackson was misunderstood, and I also feel that this book will clear up any confusion or doubt that others may have about his character. I know there are many books on Michael Jackson that are looking to cash in on his death by writing fictional garbage, but this is NOT one of them. I wouldn't read it if it was. Do yourself a favor and please read this book. Reserve any judgement until you've finished the entire book. It may potentially change your perspective on everything you thought you knew about Michael Jackson. His heart was so pure and his love for others shined bright even during the most darkest moments of his life. He always had such a kind smile with the saddest eyes. I just hope he found his "Neverland" up in heaven. #RIPMichaelJackson"I'm just a soul whose intentions are good. Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood." -Nina Symone

I bought this book not knowing what to expect. I have a "Michael Jackson library" I call it... Well, this book gets top shelf honors!! One of the BEST BOOKS WRITTEN BY THE HEART OF 2 MEN WHO GUARDED AND PROTECTED MJ AND HIS 3 CHILDREN. IF GIVES ALL FACTS AND NO JUNK. I AM SO HAPPY THEY MADE A MOVIE OUT OF THIS BOOK. Bill Whitfield & Jevon Beard were MJ's & Prince, Paris, & Blanket's bodyguards and you do not know what they did for him, and most of it w/o getting paid. The book is factual, upbeat, & also at times downbeat but it tells it like it is. YOU MUST ADD THIS BOOK TO YOUR COLLECTION IF YOU LOVE MJ. I GOT TO MEET BILL WHITFIELD ON 6/25/19 AT FOREST LAWN IN GLENDALE, CA AND HE SIGNED A PAPER FOR ME WHICH I PUT IN THE BOOK & TOOK PICS WITH ME. SUCH A SWEET MAN. I thanked him for all he did for the Jacksons, and he said "we are still taking care of them." I don't know what he meant by that but he was true blue. Get the hardcover version. It will last longer. Everyone who talks about this book says they read it only a few days. You just can't put it down once U start reading it. <3 <3

I purchased a movie "Michael Jackson Finding Neverland" here on Amazon and recently watched it. I watched it several times more, then decided to buy the book that movie was based on., "Remember The TIme: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days." It is very honest and well-balanced. There is none of the sensationalism/rumors and outright lies that you might find in other biographies or autobiographies about Michael. These two men cared about Michael and his family, even going several months without pay because there was nobody else to protect them.Bill and Javon are loyal to MJ even to this day. They did not receive any money for this book, but felt the need to set the record straight about MJ's final days. Bill and Javon had to deal with the pressure of guarding MJ and his children 24/7. They had to check MJ's fan mail, filtering out the threatening letters, so MJ would never see those. Any threats had to be checked out to ensure these mentally unhinged "fans" weren't serious about carrying them out.The two men also had to deal with the power struggle/politics between MJ's various family members, lawyers and personal assistants, such as Raymone Bains, who later tried to get more money from the estate even after she had been given a generous severance settlement. Javon and Bill also had to deal with being away from their own families for months at a time when on assignments with MJ. They found themselves pushed aside at times by MJ's latest personal assistant and not getting paid for months on end. Yet they never held that against Michael; they knew who they were up against. It was sad knowing how MJ's own people he hired took advantage of Michael, giving themselves high salaries and living in luxury condos, rent paid for by MJ. Bill and Javon knew that Michael's finances were a mess, yet they couldn't do anything but watch the train wreck while trying to protect MJ and his children.This book is a fast read, very interesting and you'll find it hard to put their book down once you start reading. It is fast-paced and a true insider's view of the world of Michael Jackson. I highly recommend it.

I truly want to thank both of these authors Bill and Jovan for sharing their most ultimate time of being with Mr. Jackson , Michael I truly adored him so much and this just puts so much light into the hardship and the times that he injured during the last of his years this was the man who truly loved his children truly loved everything around him I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so devoted and dedicated to one person who really the most I will forever be in this time of thinking in my heart in my mind of everything that you have brought to light so beautifully put so full of truth thank you for enlightening us all

The guys who wrote this book are great, it gives some insight into Michael Jackson’s life. They were good to have persevered when the going got tough and they did not receive regular pay cheques, some would have resigned. I felt Michael was insensitive at times and rubbed their noses in it, especially when he went on his spending sprees buying thousands of dollars worth of toys and flying on private jets and staying in top hotels, large suitcases of money, get this, get that, was he truly broke? On the one hand Michael was described as an angel but there appears to be another side to him that appeared unscrupulous. I do think people around Michael caused problems for him but Michael also caused problems for Michael. He would have known he did not have the stamina or strength to do 1 concert let alone 10 then 50. Where were the two women friend and flower when he might have needed a listening ear or words of wisdom? Could no one see this man was not well! The ‘This Is It’ footage shows there was no enthusiasm in his moves and he looked weak and fragile, you could she his mental anguish. He always seemed to be wearing layers of clothes or extremely baggy clothes almost to hide his thin frame. I still fail to understand why he did not sell the Sony catalogue pay his debts and move on to a more quieter, peaceful life out of the public gaze, with his children, which he craved so much and gave himself time heal from his 2005 trial and his other problems, maybe the odd concert for nostalgia. He might have still been with us today. It appeared some did not care for Michael to notice his failing health, what they forgot was that Michael was the money maker and when he died he took the cash machine with him. For all those who started to appear in Michael’s life once he announced his comeback tour, all those people who wanted to get there hands on his money, all those lawsuits, if he had succeeded at his marathon tour what money would have been left for Michael?

Best book I have read in ages. Couldn't put it down and ended up finishing it over 4 days. Beautifully written. Great insight into Michael's life away from the public eye. It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster though, one minute you are laughing along with the story, next thing you are crying.If you are a Michael Jackson fan this book is a must have. If you aren't it's still a great look into the life of a legend.

Amazing book. I liked it from the first to the last page. This is the story of a man and his children, a father scared for his kids. In this book there is no King of pop, there is only the man, the father, the human being behind the stage.I didn't know many things about his attitude, his private life and I'm glad someone wrote a book like this. I don't know how many people would be interested in reading about the real Michael Jackson. The man who opened the door of his bedroom wearing a pair of reading glasses with the Bible in his hands. The man who spent some nights with his "Friend" Johanna watching a movie in her hotel room because he didn't want his children knew about her coming to town. I certainly do.I've never read a book like this about Michael Jackson.Thank you Bill Whitfield

Fantastic book two men honour the life of Michael by trying to show the real life of the man coping with awesome fame and the pressures of trying to live normal,in the process a lot is revealed about events and the people surrounding this great artist also reveals the reasons the family always on the move,finance problems,the bodyguards seem to be led by there hearts and were willing to work at great loss to themselves and there loved ones this has been made into a movie "searching for neverland" but the book is so much better.

This book is brilliant, it's honest, pure, funny, makes you smile, makes you laugh and also in parts makes you cry and feel angry. You feel everything bill and javon feel when they told their stories of events. I read the book in a day and half I couldn't put it down. If your going to read books about m.j this one is deffinately a first. Bill and javon are true, honest and down to earth men.