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I have a bit of a bone to pick with your book.
*Lessons of Pilot Mountain* had me expecting a straightforward historical fiction novel, something centered on a specific place and period in history, but it quickly proved to be much more layered than that. The deeper I went, the more irritated I became… because I was not supposed to find myself so absorbed by the blend of history, spirituality, and personal discovery.
What stood out most was how respectfully you weave together historical events with Native American oral traditions. This is not just a story about the past, it feels like an invitation to reflect on memory, identity, and the wisdom carried through generations despite incredible hardship. The connection between the landscape of Pilot Mountain and the stories surrounding it gives the narrative a sense of depth that lingers well beyond the final page.
Instead of simply following the historical timeline, I found myself thinking about the emotional weight of preserving voices that were nearly lost and how place itself can become part of a story. That combination of history and human connection made the book feel both meaningful and memorable.
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I have a bit of a bone to pick with your book.
*Lessons of Pilot Mountain* had me expecting a straightforward historical fiction novel, something centered on a specific place and period in history, but it quickly proved to be much more layered than that. The deeper I went, the more irritated I became… because I was not supposed to find myself so absorbed by the blend of history, spirituality, and personal discovery.
What stood out most was how respectfully you weave together historical events with Native American oral traditions. This is not just a story about the past, it feels like an invitation to reflect on memory, identity, and the wisdom carried through generations despite incredible hardship. The connection between the landscape of Pilot Mountain and the stories surrounding it gives the narrative a sense of depth that lingers well beyond the final page.
Instead of simply following the historical timeline, I found myself thinking about the emotional weight of preserving voices that were nearly lost and how place itself can become part of a story. That combination of history and human connection made the book feel both meaningful and memorable.
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McKelvey's recent book, "Faces of Pilot Mountain: Intriguing Journey into the Deep Mysteries" focuses on images visible in the quartzite that he believes is rock art. If you have read his book, you might never be able to unsee the faces on the cliffs looking toward the foothills in all directions from Pilot Knob.
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McKelvey's recent book, "Faces of Pilot Mountain: Intriguing Journey into the Deep Mysteries" focuses on images visible in the quartzite that he believes is rock art. If you have read his book, you might never be able to unsee the faces on the cliffs looking toward the foothills in all directions from Pilot Knob.
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I've visited Pilot Mountain State Park several times over the last 10 years. The mountain is a striking geological feature, both from a distance and when close-up on trails, which I greatly enjoyed but I didn't didn't know much about the history of the mountain or the area. McKelvey's book is a highly recommended read to fill in the gap, covering topics like local geology/geography, Native American stories, development of the surrounding area by homesteading settlers, history of private ownership of the mountain before it became a state park, and how the mountain has served as a beacon and guidepost for travelers for thousands of years. Clearly the author did a lot of painstaking research and spent a lot of time at the Park, and his personal stories from the families of previous private owners are fascinating. The kindle version I purchased has lots of interesting images and the author hints of forthcoming volumes that delve more deeply in the mysteries of the mountain and it's potential uses in pre-history times.
After [I] read the book, I went camping at Pilot Mountain State Park with a new-found appreciation for the history of the area, the park, and unique features of the area. It was fun to share stories from the book with my wife and college age son (camping with me) as we explored the along the trails, found some of unusual rock features (e.g. stone heads) described in the book, compared photos, and made our own stories.
Thumbs up, McKelvey!
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I've visited Pilot Mountain State Park several times over the last 10 years. The mountain is a striking geological feature, both from a distance and when close-up on trails, which I greatly enjoyed but I didn't didn't know much about the history of the mountain or the area. McKelvey's book is a highly recommended read to fill in the gap, covering topics like local geology/geography, Native American stories, development of the surrounding area by homesteading settlers, history of private ownership of the mountain before it became a state park, and how the mountain has served as a beacon and guidepost for travelers for thousands of years. Clearly the author did a lot of painstaking research and spent a lot of time at the Park, and his personal stories from the families of previous private owners are fascinating. The kindle version I purchased has lots of interesting images and the author hints of forthcoming volumes that delve more deeply in the mysteries of the mountain and it's potential uses in pre-history times.
After [I] read the book, I went camping at Pilot Mountain State Park with a new-found appreciation for the history of the area, the park, and unique features of the area. It was fun to share stories from the book with my wife and college age son (camping with me) as we explored the along the trails, found some of unusual rock features (e.g. stone heads) described in the book, compared photos, and made our own stories.
Thumbs up, McKelvey!
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Excellent research makes for a thoroughly informative and entertaining book. Although I live only a few miles away from the mountain, Mr. McKelvey shares information I’d never heard. Wonderful read!!
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Excellent research makes for a thoroughly informative and entertaining book. Although I live only a few miles away from the mountain, Mr. McKelvey shares information I’d never heard. Wonderful read!!
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I was spellbound by your eloquent words about Pilot Mountain. From the beginning of the book, you feel like you are reading about a mystery in nearly every page. It's hard to put the book down, even to gorge on a pork chop sandwich at Snappy's in nearby Mt. Airy.
With my respect and admiration for your great work in making history come alive.
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North Carolina Attorney General (1974-1984)
North Carolina Secretary of State (1989-1996)
Member of the Watergate Committee who personally severed President Nixon with a subpoena
Born in Boone, North Carolina and live in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he practices law and is cohost of a weekly gardening radio show on WPTF-FM
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I was spellbound by your eloquent words about Pilot Mountain. From the beginning of the book, you feel like you are reading about a mystery in nearly every page. It's hard to put the book down, even to gorge on a pork chop sandwich at Snappy's in nearby Mt. Airy.
With my respect and admiration for your great work in making history come alive.
“
North Carolina Attorney General (1974-1984)
North Carolina Secretary of State (1989-1996)
Member of the Watergate Committee who personally severed President Nixon with a subpoena
Born in Boone, North Carolina and live in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he practices law and is cohost of a weekly gardening radio show on WPTF-FM
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Very well written book full of historical data and general information about how the park and how it came to fruition. We happen to live within viewing distance of Pilot Mountain. I’ve read the entire book and find myself going back to it over and over to refresh my memory and verify information. I purchased the hardback book and it’s beautiful on our coffee table. I purchased a second hardback copy for my guest room so that our guests can read about the beautiful area we live in.
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Very well written book full of historical data and general information about how the park and how it came to fruition. We happen to live within viewing distance of Pilot Mountain. I’ve read the entire book and find myself going back to it over and over to refresh my memory and verify information. I purchased the hardback book and it’s beautiful on our coffee table. I purchased a second hardback copy for my guest room so that our guests can read about the beautiful area we live in.
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his also reminds me of a place [called] Chimney Rock in southern Colorado where you’ve got two pinnacles up and you have the same phenomena. When you are there on the solstices it creates a shadow that is very much a pyramid. As the sun is setting the pyramid shadow increases, it points to a distinct position on the horizon which is very interesting. Then the reverse happens at the sunrise and the sunset. It is almost like a large geological clock.
I’ve been looking to get here ever since I read Jim’s book. I’ve got to get out there to see it! Then George [Howard] told me, “yeah, we’re going to do a field trip there.” So I said, “Okay, I’ll come to Cosmic Summit after all.
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Legendary researcher Randall Carlson speaking in the picnic pavilion on Pilot Mountain [where the old airfield used to be] during the Cosmic Summit excursion on June 20, 2025 with two buses from Greensboro, NC.
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his also reminds me of a place [called] Chimney Rock in southern Colorado where you’ve got two pinnacles up and you have the same phenomena. When you are there on the solstices it creates a shadow that is very much a pyramid. As the sun is setting the pyramid shadow increases, it points to a distinct position on the horizon which is very interesting. Then the reverse happens at the sunrise and the sunset. It is almost like a large geological clock.
I’ve been looking to get here ever since I read Jim’s book. I’ve got to get out there to see it! Then George [Howard] told me, “yeah, we’re going to do a field trip there.” So I said, “Okay, I’ll come to Cosmic Summit after all.
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Legendary researcher Randall Carlson speaking in the picnic pavilion on Pilot Mountain [where the old airfield used to be] during the Cosmic Summit excursion on June 20, 2025 with two buses from Greensboro, NC.