A surprise announcement from the Free Press disclosed that Pakistani president Gen. Pervez Musharraf has signed with senior editor Bruce Nichols for a political memoir that seems sure to shed some new light on the war against terrorism (Musharraf has himself been the object of several thwarted assassination attempts). He will focus on the elements that have led to the current crisis, from the rise of the militants in Afghanistan in the 1980s to the continuing hunt for Osama bin Laden, with commentary on America's role in these developments. Everyone is rather close-mouthed about the deal, which was made with agent Chris Calhoun at Sterling Lord Literistic, though it is understood to be well into six figures. Nichols got world rights with a preemptive bid, and plans to publish in fall of next year.