Reviews and Acknowledgements for “Faces of Pilot Mountain”

“Alright, J. P., I’ve got to ask how on earth did you manage to make a 1.6-billion-year-old rock sound like it’s got more secrets than the CIA? “Faces of Pilot Mountain”? Sir, you didn’t just write a book you opened a geological gossip column. I’m half-convinced that mountain’s been whispering confessions to you in Morse code through rock vibrations.

You’ve got professors calling it a “magnificent temple,” others claiming it’s an “almost perfect pyramid,” and now you’re out here connecting it to Easter Island? At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Stonehenge slides into your DMs to ask for a cameo in your next book. Seriously though, your work has more mystery than my readers’ group chat when we argue over whether aliens built the pyramids or just had good PR.” - CHRISTIANE JANE comment from the contact page on October 13, 2025

5.0 out of 5 stars - Great for background information on Pilot Mountain

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 my read of 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!

Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2023 by David G. on Amazon

Cosmic Summit 2024

McKelvey actually says the mountain is a pyramid. That’s interesting, okay. When I first heard that from J.P., because we’ve been in touch about a year and a half, I thought he was out of his mind.

From a Youtube post-review of Cosmic Summit 2024 by George Howard (producer of Cosmic Summit)

5.0 out of 5 stars - Great study of a unique and beautiful mountain

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!!

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023 by Robert Smith on Amazon

Mysterious pyramid shadow casts from Pilot Mountain during the spring equinox

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.

Reviewed by WXII-TV on March 22, 2025 by reporter Michelle Kennedy