Powerfully written by controversial author - broadcaster Ross Fitzgerald and comedy writer Rick Murphy, Austen Tayshus: Merchant of Menace is a no holds - barred biography of Australia's edgiest comedian; a man rightly regarded as the nation's most dangerous and subversive performer. Austen Tayshus is the creation of Sandy Gutman, a shy, intelligent, highly cultured and observant son of Judaism; an actor and award - winning filmmaker, strict vegetarian and father. He retains a loyal following within the arts community and his fans include international film stars, world famous artists and a former Australian prime minister. He is also the great outsider of Australian show business; a raging intellectual punk who seeks out apathy, hypocrisy and mediocrity, and stomps on them until they are dead. This brilliantly written biography uncovers the complicated personality of a stand - up comedian driven to perform, a man who lives in the shadow of a great tragedy.