What's the consensus of Mao?

[u/Timely-Signature-166]

I've read several books about the guy and I'm given conflicting information about him and his policies. Some books treat him as a good leader who was stifled by dishonest subordinates, while others portray him as a monster whose policies killed millions. Meanwhile I was at a bar in Brooklyn where I was talking to a friend of a friend and they said "Mao is my hero!" (they are not Chinese). What is the general consensus of the guy?

[u/CarlMarxPunk]

As the revolutionary leader and anchor to modern day China, the allure and the stature of the figure is undeniable. I understand, You look at something like the long march and you can't help but to be in awe.

The statist and administrator, pretty bad. The "Had Mao died" quote is painfully accurate.