WikiLeaks Boss Julian Assange Lands Book Deal

Australian whistle-blower Julian Assange — the man behind international secret-revealing website WikiLeaks, which let the world peek behind the curtain and see the inner workings of governments and financial institutions — is lifting the lid on his own life story.

In an interview with Britian’s Sunday Times, Assange confirmed that he’s signed a $1.3 million book deal with publisher Random House to pen his side of the story.

“I don’t want to write this book, but I have to. I have already spent 200,000 pounds for legal costs and I need to defend myself and to keep WikiLeaks afloat.”

The anti-secrecy website is certainly strapped for cash these days. The site is no longer receiving donations from many several major banks and credit card companies that have come under fire from their host governments for handling transactions for WikiLeaks.

Assange was recently released on bail in Britain and is fighting extradition to Sweden, where two women have accused him of sexual misconduct.

The book is due on shelves in 2011.