Julian Assange

In December 2010, Julian Assange signed a contract with
Canongate Books to write a book - part memoir, part manifesto - for
publication the following year. At the time, Julian said: 'I hope this
book will become one of the unifying documents of our generation.
In this highly personal work, I explain our global struggle to force a
new relationship between the people and their governments.'
In the end, the work was to prove too personal.
Despite sitting for more than fifty hours of taped interviews
discussing his life and the work of WikiLeaks with the writer he had
enlisted to help him, Julian became increasingly troubled by the
thought of publishing an autobiography. After reading the first draft
of the book at the end of March, Julian declared: 'All memoir is
prostitution.' In June 2011, with thirty-eight publishing houses
around the world committed to releasing the book, Julian told us he
wanted to cancel his contract.
We disagree with Julian's assessment of the book. We believe it
explains both the man and his work, underlining his commitment to
the truth. Julian always claimed the book was well written; we agree,
and this also encouraged us to make the book available to readers.
And the contract? By the time Julian wanted to cancel the deal he
had already used the advance money to settle his legal bills. So the
contract still stands. We have decided to honour it - and to publish.
This book is the unauthorised first draft. It is passionate, provocative
and opinionated - like its author. It fulfils the promise of the original
proposal and we are proud to publish it.