Paul Campbell’s books

The late Paul Campbell left a legacy of unique quality books. He is probably best known for his epic “Survival Skills of Native California,” which is a thick collection of his research articles that were mostly published in the Bulletin of Primitive Technology.
After this book, anthropologist Campbell wrote two more books, “Paints and Pigments of the California Indians” and “The Universal Tool Kit.” Both were quality hardcover books, created and published by Campbell.

“Paints and Pigments” is 224 page book, full of color photos detailing the author’s quest to find special red ochre, along with many of the other traditional paints and pigments used by indigenous peoples. The book details how rock art survived for centuries, and Campbell shares photos from his expeditions of the remote rock art of the Southwest. He also includes detailed photos and drawings of how faces and bodies were painted, as well as the unique art of arrows, bows, and other weapons.

“The Universal Tool Kit” is a 316 page work of art, detailing Campbell’s extensive research in how ancient man in Africa created a variety of rock tools, and how those tools were used to make all the necessities of life. This is not a book about flint-knapping and making points, but rather, how simple flakes can be made, and then used to create bows, arrows, atlatls, adzes, and other tools. The photos by Campbell detail his own original research in replicating ancient stone-working techniques.

The books are both hardcover, and both retail for $30. We are selling the pair for $40 plus $5 media mailing, or each book for $20 and $5 media mailing.

If you didn’t know Paul and his work, these books demonstrate the depth and quality of his thinking and his ability to bring the past alive.

Books are available from School of Self-Reliance, Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041. You can call in with a credit card if you prefer, to (626) 791-3217. If you use Paypal, pay to the email [email protected].