The book's popularity may be because it was essentially an unofficial requirement for every Chinese citizen to own, to read, and to carry it at all times during the latter half of Mao's rule, especially during the Cultural Revolution.
Bogens store popularitet skyldes at det uofficielt var et krav at enhver kineser skulle eje, læse og have bogen på sig altid i den sidste halvdel af Maos styre, vigtigst under kulturrevolutionen.