My problem with conversations about Mao is that they in many cases appear to degenerate into sterile and banal sectarianism, to a degree that if often politically fatal. For example, I often claim that "On Contradiction," "On Practice," and Mao's work on guerrilla warfare are important essays for those interested in political analysis. But it is often impossible to even move to a discussion of these essays before the usual sequence of false accusations is levied against me.
Mao was a brilliant strategist, irrespective of whether he was essentially conservative after taking power. This is even recognized in the "U.S. Army's Field Guide to Counter-insurgency Operations." You will probably not find another official U.S. government publication that speaks of Maoist tactics in this manner.
Condemn the post-Civil War Mao if you wish. It would also be productive, however, to appreciate his insights.
epoliticus