Private Conversations in Neverland with Michael Jackson

I like this book because it is an honest account of personal friendship between the author, a doctor and a family man, and Michael Jackson. The author's writing style is if anything rather staid, but then that tells you about the authenticity of his voice and his representation. There is none of that psychological second-guessing that is found in other accounts and memoirs of Michael. The author presents Michael just as he experienced him, without any doing-up. Which means that we sometimes see unedited aspects of Michael, like when he told the author that Bill Gates gave him a car, when in fact he had bought it. The author doesn't speculate why Michael did that, he was puzzled why Michael felt the need to embellish the story, but he doesn't make a big deal out of it or become hysterical over quirky details like other writers. What I got from that is that Michael sometimes liked to embellish little boring truths to make them seem a little more fantastic and fun.The stories recounted include "everyday" observations about food and clothing and hobbies and interests. Some anecdotes reveal Michael's personal philosophies, which include enlightened attitudes towards nature, shrewd business sense, and his humble attitude towards god and creativity. I laughed quite a bit reading this book, not because the author was funny (he wasn't), but because he was just matter-of-factly recounting these little familiar quirks and traits that are unique to Michael and which I find very endearing, you know, like his nosy curiosity and his preference for silky pyjama pants. I mean, the press have a field day about Michael's pyjamas, which are like one of his favorite dress items, which tells you how sad and hysterical these people are. Fact is, pyjamas says something about Michael which is not weird, its down-to-earth attire and very adorable.I think Michael likes to hang out with people like the doctor who is grounded and doesn't become hysterical over every little thing he does or says. Memoirs of Michael allow us to see the same Michael reflected through the prisms of different people's eyes and experience. I like this particular doctor's prism because he doesn't have any of that psychological gunk that fouls up the prisms of other people, including family like Jermaine Jackson, tabloid creatures like Randy Taborelli and business associates like Quincy Jones, all of whom project their own psychological issues into their relationship with and representations of Michael Jackson.In fact, I think the doctor's rather dry foil is a good setting for us to see Michael. People who for their own distorted reasons think that Michael was not interested in or not capable of having a friendship with adults should read this rather staid-sounding MD's book. Yes, the good doctor had a 9 year-old son and also a daughter, whom Michael played with. But his children were not the reason for the friendship between the two men. In fact the children feature very little in this father's account of his friendship with Michael. They sometimes accompanied him on his visits to Michael, and Michael sometimes played with the children when he visited their home, but mostly it was just Barney hanging out with Michael. Yes, they did go on rides and they did eat ice-cream and watch movies at Neverland. But they also shared a deep interest in antiques and baroque architecture and old hand-painted carousels, which was the thing that got them talking in the first place.Throughout his life, outside the poisonous purview of the press, Michael quietly formed firm friendships with people who were involved with or interested in fine arts, architecture, antiques and yes, medicine and anatomy - some of the subjects that absorbed Michael's enormous creative energy and passion outside of music, films and entertainment. This doctor was one of them, a friend Michael found in the Santa Ynez Valley. If Tom Sneddon had not misused his power to persecute Michael Jackson and drive him out of Santa Barbara county, they could have continued to enjoy each other's company as they grew old, watching their children grow up, laughing and sharing their passion for antiques and their love for the beautiful valley they called home. As it were, Michael left his beloved Neverland and the country that betrayed him after the trial, and the doctor never saw him again. I cried reading the final pages that in their understated way paid tribute to how deeply and profoundly Michael affected William and his son, and how much his passing affected them.Many people feel qualified to write books about Michael Jackson, and almost without exception all of them are full of crap or has crap mixed up in them. Most of these books are there to exploit Michael Jackson, including those by family and friends and associates. This book is not long or detailed, and it might be pricey for its length. It is not lyrically written, and it has no grand sweep or pretentions. What it has is zero crap and no projections, and it is written by a true friend of Michael Jackson whose only agenda is to share with us something of the man he knew and the times they had together. I am glad Michael had this friend, I thank him for sharing Michael with us, and I am glad I read this book.

This book is a must read. The stories are insightful, the commentary loving and the author, true blue.William Van Valin (Doc Barney) had a close friendship with Michael Jackson for 5 years (they lost touch after Michael's 2005 trial when Michael left the US), but during those 5 years, Barney and Michael either saw one another or, spoke on the phone, every single week unless one or the other was traveling. This was a close and authentic friendship.If you want to know somebody, speak with them directly. If you are unable to do that, the next best thing is to speak to people who loved and respected and truly cared about them. Barney Van Valin and his family truly cared about Michael Jackson.There are a lot of books out there about Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, but few share the true Michael, behind the scenes, as he truly was. Because what many forget is that Michael could not relax and just be himself without the pressures of media, paparazzi and the public all wanting something from him. He found that comfort, normalcy and the ability to relax a bit, when he was surrounded by good friends who wanted to be just that, a friend. Michael was used to people always wanting something from him, always demanding, taking, jockeying for position.Doc Barney and his family GAVE something TO Michael. Michael of course was generous and giving to everyone he knew, but Barney Van Valin, his wife and his children gave Michael a peace that he most often didn't otherwise have, a safe haven. There were only a few people/families that he had this with.A few weeks ago, I was introduced to this book via my friend Pat. She had just started reading it and was feeding me some excerpts from the book via email. Having been a long time advocate for truth, I was really interested in reading the book the minute I started seeing some of the content. It was beautifully written and the stories were shared from the heart.The content of this book is wonderful. True stories shared in a way that only a close friend could share. You start reading it and you can't stop. I read the book in one night and plan on reading it again.I laughed out loud at the beautiful humor and smiled at the tender-hearted stories of two friends and their families, simply enjoying one another's company and having adventures.You feel as if you are sitting on their shoulders as the stories unfold, getting a window into their times together. You feel like you are along for the ride, immersed in the journey, and it's a beautiful journey to share.When I was first alerted to this book, I sent a quick email to the author. I run a website dedicated to telling the truth about Michael Jackson, the Michael the media never showed you. I wanted to find out more about the book and the author.Since then I have had the opportunity to speak to Doc Barney via phone and text/email and I have to say that Michael Jackson was very fortunate to have this man and his family, in his life. Doc Barney, the author of this book, is honestly true blue. A truly nice, humble, giving spirit who only wants the truth to be known about his friend. I will soon be interviewing Doc Barney for my website because I feel that his stories are very important to share in showing who the true Michael Jackson, was.If you want to see the beautiful man you missed by the media's slanted coverage, if you want to see what Michael Jackson was really like...the kind of person he was, his true character, and you'd like to spend some warm, tenderhearted moments witnessing a friendship that lasted 5 years and always remained a heart connection, I highly recommend reading this book.Highly recommended for truth.Debbie KuneshCreator of the Reflections on the Dance website tribute to Michael Jackson

I liked this book very much it was very interesting about micheal Jackson very interesting it is about him and this doctor Barney who he becomes friends with it is told through barneys eyes and gives a good insight into Micheals life and his generosity, interesting book for any fan of fanatic who is interested in micheal. The bad point of the book that it ends too quick, it really gets interesting then finishs. The whole story is set around Nederland so it is set in happier times for micheal.

I didn't want this book to end. Fascinating insight into Michael's world and personality. There is nothing I disliked about the book because there is nothing to dislike about Michael. I'm feeling sad again he is no longer with us. Thank you to the author for sharing with us.

I absolutely loved this book,just wish it was a bigger book. Would like more like this

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to remember Michael Jackson for the lovely man he was. The author paints a picture of a kind and gentle individual who cared deeply for his family and friends and is missed by many. RIP MJ xxxxx

I did like this book although it never really moved me to want to read it again.Apart from that it arrived quickly. A smooth pleasant transaction.