Sheppard Lee, Written by Himself. Vol. 1 (of 2)

Sheppard Lee, Written by Himself, Vol. 1 (of 2) is a satirical novel by Robert Montgomery Bird, first published in 1836. The story follows Sheppard Lee, a lazy farmer from New Jersey who discovers a manuscript allowing him to transfer his soul into other bodies. This leads to a series of comical and cautionary adventures as Lee navigates wealth, social status, and the folly of human nature. The novel explores themes of fortune and misfortune, reflecting on the cyclical nature of wealth in 19th-century America.