(often associated with the brand Desert Publications Sales ) is a unique American publishing house known for curating and reprinting technical manuals, military field guides, and "how-to" books on extreme self-reliance. Unlike mainstream publishers, Desert Publications focuses almost exclusively on actionable, technical, and historical data that was originally intended for military or government use.
Whether you are planning a road trip to the Southwest or simply looking to escape into another world from your armchair, this list offers a starting point for your literary journey into the desert.
Desert Publications is a niche publisher specializing in tactical, firearms, and "unconventional" instructional manuals. Historically based in Cornville, Arizona , and later in El Dorado, Arkansas
In the vast, often sterile landscape of mainstream publishing, certain imprints thrive on the fringes. They operate in niches that traditional publishers fear to tread, dealing in subjects that range from the politically explosive to the metaphysically bizarre. Among these, the term evokes a specific, potent image: dusty shelves, typewritten manifestos, bomb-making diagrams, psionic experiments, and the raw, unfiltered spirit of the pre-internet underground.
History & anthropology
Most of the technical data in was not proprietary. It was repurposed from US Government publications. The Army’s TM 31-210 Improvised Munitions Handbook is a public document. Desert Publications simply re-typeset it, added a crude cover, and sold it for $8.00. You cannot be prosecuted for republishing a government document.
Long before "prepping" became a mainstream television phenomenon, Desert Publications was printing blueprints for long-term survival.
These books are heavily studied by military historians and counter-insurgency experts to understand unconventional warfare tactics. 4. Locksmithing and Security Bypass
Long before "prepping" became a mainstream television phenomenon, Desert Publications was printing foundational texts on how to survive catastrophic scenarios. desert publications books
Information regarding first aid and medical considerations in remote environments where professional healthcare is unavailable.
Here are the "Holy Grails" of the Desert Publications catalog:
Unlike commercial publishers that focus on broad market appeal, Desert Publications prioritized raw, instructional content. The books were typically recognizable by their utilitarian design—often featuring simple, text-heavy covers, technical diagrams, and straightforward layouts designed for field use rather than coffee table display. Core Subjects and Iconic Titles
Desert Publications is most recognized for its "Combat Bookshelf" series and technical manuals. Their works generally fall into several distinct categories: (often associated with the brand Desert Publications Sales
is a well-known niche publisher specializing in tactical, survival, and "how-to" technical manuals, often covering topics like firearms maintenance, improvised munitions, and historical military field manuals.
Desert Publications books represent a fascinating chapter in American publishing history. They were born from a culture of radical self-reliance and a desire for unrestricted access to technical knowledge. Whether you view them as historical curiosities, practical survival guides, or engineering manuals, there is no denying the lasting impact this small publishing house had on the global prepper and firearms communities. To help you find exactly what you need, let me know:
Are you interested in the of some of their technical manuals?