The origins of Desert Publications are deeply rooted in the cultural climate of the 1970s and 80s. During this era, a growing segment of the American population became concerned with civil unrest, economic instability, and the potential for global conflict. This "survivalist" subculture created a demand for practical, "how-to" information that prioritized physical security and autonomy. Based in Cornville, Arizona, the company tapped into the rugged individualism of the American West, producing books that were often printed in simple, utilitarian formats—staple-bound or softcover—designed to be kept in a rucksack or a workbench drawer rather than a formal library.
Owning a Desert Publications book today is not about the instructions inside (most of which are outdated or dangerous to follow). It is about holding a piece of pre-internet counterculture in your hands—a gritty, unpolished testament to the idea that information, no matter how volatile, wants to be printed and passed on.
The Locksport & Covert Entry Series: This is arguably their most famous (and infamous) domain. Titles like The Complete Book of Locks & Locksmithing are actually respectable. However, How to Open Locks with Improvised Tools and The Bypass Methods tread a fine line between educational and legally dubious. For the security researcher or hobbyist, these are gold mines of mechanical wisdom. For a layperson, they feel like a heist movie script.
The origins of Desert Publications are deeply rooted in the cultural climate of the 1970s and 80s. During this era, a growing segment of the American population became concerned with civil unrest, economic instability, and the potential for global conflict. This "survivalist" subculture created a demand for practical, "how-to" information that prioritized physical security and autonomy. Based in Cornville, Arizona, the company tapped into the rugged individualism of the American West, producing books that were often printed in simple, utilitarian formats—staple-bound or softcover—designed to be kept in a rucksack or a workbench drawer rather than a formal library.
Owning a Desert Publications book today is not about the instructions inside (most of which are outdated or dangerous to follow). It is about holding a piece of pre-internet counterculture in your hands—a gritty, unpolished testament to the idea that information, no matter how volatile, wants to be printed and passed on. desert publications books
The Locksport & Covert Entry Series: This is arguably their most famous (and infamous) domain. Titles like The Complete Book of Locks & Locksmithing are actually respectable. However, How to Open Locks with Improvised Tools and The Bypass Methods tread a fine line between educational and legally dubious. For the security researcher or hobbyist, these are gold mines of mechanical wisdom. For a layperson, they feel like a heist movie script. The origins of Desert Publications are deeply rooted
