An authentic compilation of Mao's Collected works is long overdue. Especially now, its need is all the more great and urgent. But there is very little hope of such a publication being brought out officially by the CPC. However, several writings of Mao, not covered by the CPC's official publication i.e., Selected works of Mao Zedong Volumes 1 to 5-are available elsewhere. All these lie scattered in a number of English editions by western scholars and in some remote research journals etc. We do realize that even if all these are put together it will not be the collected-works nor will even be a good substitute. Yet we hope their presentation at one place, chronologically arranged, will certainly facilitate easy and ready reference, further stimulating the study of Mao's works.
