A chronicle offering a rare glimpse into the life and career of 'Chairman' Mao Zedong, one of the founders of modern China, was released today ahead of the late Chinese leader's 120th birthday this week.

The six-volume, three-million-word chronicle describes Mao's life and achievements after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, according to the Central Party Literature Press, the chronicle's publisher.

Mao's 120th birthday will be marked on December 26. The chronicle offers a rare glimpse at speeches and talks that have not been included in Mao's works, the publisher said.