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The Narrative of the Life of James Allen, alias Jonas Pierce, alias James H. York, alias Burley Grove, the Highwayman, Being His Death-bed Confession to the Warden of the Massachusetts State Prison is an autobiographical work by James Allen. It is noteworthy in part for being an example of anthropodermic bibliopegy, which was not unknown in its time; but the binder was not apparently aware of the materials he was using at the time of its binding.

About the book
The book was published in Boston by Harrington and Co. in 1837.

The physical volume
The front cover contains a title-plate which reads "HIC LIBER WALTONIS CUTIS COMPACTUS EST"; Walton was one of the author's aliases.

The tale
The narrative is a combination of autobiography and confession, transcribed by the warden, as the author himself was unable to write.