AustLit

'"A memoir that is as much about human frailty as it is about achievement."

'In his remarkable memoir, Allan Charles Branch invites readers on an unpredictable global journey from an ‘unremarkable’ Tasmanian boy to a revolutionary force in multiple industries. He defied the odds to innovate technologies and resurrect failing companies worldwide.

'Allan's early years in Tasmania were spent navigating government, business, and education as he sought to discover who he wasn’t. This journey led to a bold leap into entrepreneurship, where he established Tasmania’s first high-tech company. Relocating to Silicon Valley, he mingled with industry legends like Steve Wozniak and Isaac Asimov, pushing the boundaries of robotics and business. By the time he stepped away, he had possibly designed, built, and sold more intelligent robots than anyone else, redefining his identity as an inventor and entrepreneur.

'But Allan’s journey didn’t end there. He embarked on a new chapter as a transformational leader, traveling the globe to rescue seemingly irredeemable companies using innovative problem-solving techniques honed through years of experience. Along the way, he not only revived businesses but also saved countless jobs and livelihoods. Through these experiences, Allan reflects on the personal toll of his relentless career, navigating the complexities of success, loneliness, and self-discovery.

'Told through vivid vignettes, The Vandemonian captures Allan’s extraordinary journey of invention and transformation—revealing the man behind the robots. Blending the introspective depth of Paul Auster’s Winter Journal with the transformative arc of Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes, The Vandemonian is a compelling narrative of human ingenuity and perseverance.' (Publication summary)