The Powers of the Little Red Book

Mao’s words, and in particular, the selection of quotations published in the form of the The Little Red Book had been variously called a “revolutionary’s dictionary”, a “spiritual atom bomb,” a “compass for the revolution” or a powerful “Monkey’s cudgel” (as in this Big Character Poster of 1972).

As an almighty panacea Mao’s words as collected in the Little Red Book can be found on numerous propaganda posters, in songs and in the literature of the time. One could live without food or drink, but not without the Little Red Book, so it was said. And thus, the Little Red Book found its way onto everyday commodities such as handbags or marriage certificates and was to be remembered as the “precious Red Book” 红宝书 (from an earlier description as 红彤彤的革命宝书 which appears in Renmin Ribao, RMRB 4.12.1967).