Julian Assange

Meer over het boek

In December 2010, Julian Assange signed a contract with Canongate Books to write a book that combined memoir and manifesto, aiming to articulate a new relationship between people and their governments. However, as he engaged in over fifty hours of interviews and late-night discussions at Ellingham Hall, he grew increasingly uneasy about publishing an autobiography. After reading the first draft in March, he famously remarked, "All memoir is prostitution." By June 2011, despite commitments from thirty-eight publishing houses, he sought to cancel the contract. While we respect Julian's perspective, we believe the book provides valuable insights into his life and work, highlighting his dedication to truth. Assange maintained that the writing was strong, and we concur, which motivated us to publish. Notably, by the time he requested to withdraw, he had already used the advance to cover legal expenses, leaving the contract intact. We have chosen to honor it and publish this unauthorised first draft, which is as passionate and provocative as its author. We take pride in fulfilling the promise of the original proposal.