The red book

[Buddha Samurai Cadre]

A few months ago i bought the book quotations from mao tse tung, its a long thin book with mao on the front, is this what is known as the little red book?

Secondly, is it usefull for learning about Maoism, it just seems to be alot of meaningless out of context quotes, apart from a few great ones.

for example Mao explains why we should not think all americans are white imperialist racists, just the rulling class, and that the american workers are great and we should unite with them, but in really inspiring words.

Whats your opinion of the book and of maoism in general

[scarletghoul]

Yes Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung is indeed the Little Red Book, the classic format is a red pocket-sized thing as seen in many pictures, you seem to have a differant edition. (I found a funny american edition somewhere with a load of sensationalist reactionary commentry added).

I think its pretty good for a brief intro to Mao's ideas and methods. He has a good way of explaining things and though some things may seem simple or obvious, they are pointed out with a clarity and logic that is fresh and great to learn. Of course if you really want to get a deep grasp of the theory along with their context its good to read some of his works in full.

Really it depends what you want to get out of it I guess. Also got to remember that it was originally intended as a little book of advice and guidance for chinese soldiers and later all chinese people. It was the central document of the cultural revolution and a big part in the 60s/70s world revolutionary movement as it was something many people had a copy of that set out in clear understandable terms the revolutionary ideas of Mao.http://yongfeng.blogsome.com/images/ipod.shuffle.chinese.cultural.revolution.jpg

[Uppercut]

I bought the little red book a few months ago, and I really enjoyed reading it. As Scarletghoul pointed out, some of the contents seem pretty simplistic and obvious, but he has a great way of making complicated issues more understandable.
I still read it once in a while just as a refresher. For ten bucks, you really can't go wrong with the Little Red Book. It's a great way to first get into Maoism and to help understand what sets him apart from all the mainstream lies about the man.