Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days

I am deeply grateful to Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard for documenting their two-and-a-half years with Michael Jackson in such a genuine, grounded, and unembellished way. As I read, it feels as though I am experiencing everything they describe firsthand. I am completely drawn into their world, almost as if I have become part of it, able to fully feel their emotions and inner states. At the same time, they present Michael Jackson’s struggles with striking honesty. Every detail is deeply moving, and my emotions rise and fall with the story—at times I find myself smiling, but more often I feel tension, and even heartbreak. What stands out most is the immense pressure Michael Jackson endured. It becomes clear that he lived in a reality far more distorted and unimaginable than I had ever conceived, shaped by the people and circumstances surrounding him. Learning this fills me with a deep sense of sorrow for him. As Bill himself reflects, there was a reason for his departure. A world filled with exploitation, insincerity, and hypocrisy simply did not deserve him; perhaps only in leaving could he finally find true peace. Once again, I sincerely thank Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard for revealing the most authentic side of Michael Jackson and helping restore justice to his story.

After much debate, reading reviews, and wondering if I would be doing right by MJ reading this book, I had read enough positive to give it a chance. I am glad I read it. But this was no uplifting, happy-joy-joy read. This was a realistic portrayal of the sadness, disappointment, abandonment, and loneliness Michael went through in his last few years on this earth. And this is only what the body guards saw! You can see from the writing that the body guards loved him, respected him, and have the best intentions writing this book, wanting to show the world what they went through, show how much of things were out of MJs control, and how cruelly the world treated MJ. As bad as these bodyguards had it at times, they stuck by him. But they only had it bad because of the vultures - his own managers and lawyers and family members - that were fooling him, sucking him dry, emotionally and financially. The industry and the lies, the tabloid press, sucked the life out of the biggest talent our world has seen. Anyone who believes the lies about MJ and spreads them has a hand in this man's death. This man died because no one was around to care for him in his final days, days that no one knew were to be final. People say MJ pushed people away. Well, only after he had been hurt by them time and time and TIME again. He gave people one too many chances to fix things, he trusted people at their word, and he didn't check up on what they were doing like he should have, at least not at the end. He was too tired emotionally I think to deal with it, after the trial. Having been taken care of all his life by his dad or other managers, he was just used to people taking care of things for him, also. His father did him a grave disservice by raising Michael to be this great star but not know how to handle his own affairs. Michael I think must have been more hands-on before the trial, (I know he was in the 80s and 90s), but after...he just didn't care anymore, because no one came out to support him after his acquittal. Friends never came back. (the memorial? a sham! read the book) I could go on - the point is, this is a really hard read for a fan. I found myself just bereft at the end, empty and sad, trying to understand how someone the world loved could have been treated so cruelly by the press, his management, and his own damn family. His kids were his only saving grace, and the fact that these kids are stuck with this horrid family as their only family now worries me to no end for them (as a parent myself). I hope they come out of their teen years ok and take back over MJ's estate with a vengeance. So if you are a fan, I think you will find that this is a hard read, but I do recommend it. Not for the faint-hearted. Don't be surprised if you're not bawling or wanting to bawl at the end, or throw something in anger out of how he was treated. It's still sticking with me and and I finished it in less than a day doing a kindle download. I know some have criticized the body guards and author who put this book together for writing this kind of tell-all (and it doesn't tell all - the body guards don't know everything, they only know what they saw, and how they felt about what they saw and experienced with MJ, and that's what they talk about) book, but I think it pays proper homage to the King of Pop and to Michael Jackson as a human being, a man, and a father. Their love for him is quite evident. My assessment - Michael, knowing these things about you makes me love you more, and you were too damn nice for this crummy world. But the strong are supposed to protect the weak, and you, yes you, were weak not cuz of how nice you were, but because of how bad the world beat you down during that last trial in '05. And the people who should have protected you, doctors, managers, and your family, didn't. May karma get their sorry butts. ** Tom Sneddon and his DA crew and MJ's false accusers and all those press who didn't report the REAL court proceedings, only seedy stuff that would bring ratings, and took interviews of the lying accusers and broadcast them all over the world but never let Michael have his say... you all deserve to rot in hell or have the kind of bad things happen to them that you only hear about in horror movies. I'd love to live to see the day they were all exposed for the frauds they were.

I've had a deep admiration for Michael Jackson since the early '90s. No other artist has ever given the same excitement or joy that he did, and no one has inspired me the way he has. That's why a book written honestly about his life, without the motive of making money, means so much to me. As the authors themselves has said, this is not one of those books rushed out right after Michael Jackson's death, chasing six-figure paydays and feeding prejudices just to stir up sensation. It's the one authors funded themselves, persevering through countless obstacles to publish. And it was worth it, because it's one of the greatest books I've ever read. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down and finished it in just a few days. The book is beautifully written, powerful and engaging. It's a book truly worthy of a legend like Michael Jackson. With most celebrities, the more you learn about them, the more the mystery fades and they become boring. But with Michael Jackson, it's the opposite. Every honest account or detail I read only deepens my admiration and longing for him. This book did exaclty that. Although it focuses on his final years, it also sheds light on the people around him and the way he managed his affairs, helping you to understand the false accusations he faced. Reading how he struggled with everyday challenges that ordinary people deal with- things he had never encountered before- was really interesting and moving. Beyond that, the book teaches a lot about life and human nature. His last years were incredibly difficult, but meeting with Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard was a blessing. They became true friends he could trust, easing his suffering and standing by him despite everything. For that, I'm deeply grateful to them.

This book made me laugh at so many parts but cry at the end. Knowing what Bill and Javon went through to work for michael was so comical at times, but hard to take as well. They were extremely faithful security and friends to Michael to the end even if they had not been paid for stretches due to the financial troubles Michael was experiencing. Made me giggle the things Michael would ask Bill and/or Javon to get for him or look into and how they reacted to each request. And Bill and Javon arguing over who would clean up the dog droppings from Kenya in the garage. I died laughing! It was a very funny, and serious look at the chemistry between Michael and his security. But it was also heart breaking at the end with Michael's death. I loved hearing how Michael handed out cash to the homeless, that warmed my heart so much as I had never known he had ever done that! As a Michael Jackson fan, I appreciate this book so much!

Reading about Michael Jackson's last years of life made me realize how fame can really ruin your life. Such an eye opening read, may he rest in peace.

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

Great reading; I was so engaged I listened to it on my way to and from work. Michael would have been proud of those men for showing such a beautiful, funny, and vulnerable side of him. It was nice that someone had his back and genuinely cared. I'm still laughing about the mummy/gauze scene.

This book by Michael Jackson's bodyguards gave an enlightening account of the last couple of years of the King of Pop. What stood out was how lonely Michael was in spite of his fame, the loving father he was to his children and how the people around him took advantage of him in so many ways. This book is a good read for all who want to know who Michael Jackson really was as a man.

A wonderful book about a sensitive man and incredible artist, who was often misunderstood and broken by lies, press and false allegations. These two guys draw a very different picture of MJ than the published one. Highly recommended!

I could not put this book down. It's an easy to read account of MJJ's last two and a half years. It really shows his humanity. His personal strengths and weaknesses. His love for his children. His love for his fans, and the incredible stresses he had to deal with as everyone wanted a piece of the King of Pop. It made me laugh and cry. The authors state that they wrote this book to get the truth out there. After reading this book, the way it was written, and the things said in it, I believe that to be true.

Ce livre est une merveille, il remet les pendules à l’heure sur tout ce que nous pensions connaître du Roi de la Pop. Ici, il est question de l’homme lui-même, du père de famille, de l’être normal qu’il était dans sa vie quotidienne, malgré des hauts et des bas. Les auteurs, en toute objectivité, dressent un portrait de lui des plus authentique avec une immense loyauté et respect. Certaines anecdotes font rire d’autres vous tirent des larmes et on réalise qu’il n’était pas si facile d’être dans la peau de Michael Jackson. Merci à ses deux gardes du corps (Bill et Javon) de l’avoir protégé et défendu de leur mieux. J’ai trouvé leurs témoignages essentiels pour mettre en lumière le vrai du faux, une fois pour toutes car ils étaient là…proches de lui. Je recommande cet excellent livre à tous ceux qui aiment MJ et qui l’aimeront davantage après avoir lu.

Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days by Bill Whitfield & Javon Beard This was the first book I picked up after watching Michael, and I went in hoping to feel closer to a version of him I hadn't seen before. What drew me in was the sense that this account felt genuine — not another retelling of the icon, but a window into the man behind him. That's exactly what I found. Whitfield and Beard write about Michael at home, as a father, in the ordinary hours that never made headlines — and it's in those small, quiet moments that he becomes most human. Watching him fumble through the mundane, worry over his kids, laugh, second-guess himself — it strips away the "superstar phenomenon" and leaves someone recognisably like the rest of us. What struck me just as much was who was telling the story. These were two men who spent years standing closest to him, in a position where it would have been easy to cash in on that access. Instead, what comes through on every page is that their loyalty was never about themselves — it was about protecting him, guiding him, and keeping his best interests at heart, even in his most vulnerable moments. If you want to understand Michael Jackson the person rather than Michael Jackson the myth, this is where to start.

I literally couldn’t stop reading this book once I started. It was so interesting to find out about the last few years of his life but it’s written in a way that’s respectful and sincere. It’s obviously a heartbreaking read too, knowing that he never really had much peace or privacy. As you get towards the end and read about all the chaos that surrounded him, his death seemed inevitable. This is a must read for all fans and I’m left with the impression of someone who was a dedicated father and a genius who never got the chance to live any kind of normal life. An amazing book written by his bodyguards that have remained constantly loyal to him and his children.