Little Red Book (disambiguation)

The Little Red Book is the informal English name for Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong, a book of selected statements by Mao Zedong published by the Chinese government. It was first issued in 1964 and became a symbol of the Cultural Revolution, with billions of copies printed worldwide.¹ The book's red cover and small size made it easy to carry, and it was widely distributed in China and abroad as a tool for political indoctrination.

Several other works have been titled Little Red Book. For example, The Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer is a popular sales guide, and The Little Red Book of Wisdom by Mark DeMoss offers life advice. Additionally, The Little Red Book by Anonymous is a foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous, first published in 1957, containing reflections on the Twelve Steps.

In the digital realm, Little Red Book is the common English name for Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media and e-commerce platform. Launched in 2013, it allows users to share product reviews, travel tips, and lifestyle content, and has become a major influencer marketing hub.² The name derives from its red logo and the book-like format of early content.

The term has been used in political commentary and art. For instance, the Little Red Book has been referenced in films, literature, and music as a symbol of Maoism and the Cultural Revolution. It also appears in academic studies of propaganda and political symbolism. In some contexts, it is used metaphorically to denote any authoritative or dogmatic text.

Lesser-known uses include The Little Red Book of Hope by Nicky Gumbel, a Christian devotional, and The Little Red Book of Leadership by C. William Pollard. In addition, the term has been applied to various government publications, such as the Little Red Book of the Chinese Communist Party's internal guidelines. There is also a Little Red Book of the Boy Scouts of America, a handbook for scout leaders.³

Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong

A book of selected statements by Mao Zedong, commonly known as the Little Red Book.

Xiaohongshu

A Chinese social media and e-commerce platform, also known as Little Red Book.

Cultural Revolution

A sociopolitical movement in China from 1966 to 1976, during which the Little Red Book was widely used.