Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
3,460 historical books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best historical classics to read in English as a learner?
The best historical classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with Thorstein of the mere, Thoroughbreds and Thomas Lord Cromwell. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
- 3,460
- books
Level C1AdventureTo Herat and Cabul: A Story of the First Afghan WarA young clerk embarks on a perilous mission to counter Persian and Russian ambitions in Afghanistan during the tense buildup to the First Afghan War.
Level C1AdventureTo Have and to HoldIn the tense Virginia wilderness of 1621, a wary settler navigates uneasy truces and hidden threats among the native tribes, while mysterious omens and restless spirits foreshadow…
Level C1AdventureTippoo Sultaun: A tale of the Mysore warAmidst the scorching heat and treacherous, muddy roads of 1788 India, a weary yet regal leader and his loyal band traverse hostile plains, their survival and honor hanging on every…
Level C1MysteryTimothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American LifeIn the harsh winter of 1836, Timothy Crump, a struggling cooper, faces the crushing weight of poverty and family tensions in a humble New York tenement, where hope is scarce and ev…
Level C1AdventureTigre and IsolaIn the arid valleys of Arizona, a passionate and dangerous love ignites between the wild gambler Tigre and the noble Lady Isola, whose fear and sorrow shadow the beauty of her isol…
Level C1HistoricalThrough unknown waysIn 1684, a young waiting-gentlewoman moves into the long-closed mansion of Lady Corbet’s late husband, uncovering mysterious hidden compartments and secrets that hint at forgotten…
Level C1HistoricalThrough the WheatIn war-torn northern France, soldier William Hicks wrestles with his restless purpose and the dull drudgery of military life, longing for the fierce action he enlisted to face amid…
Level C1HistoricalThrough the Fray: A Tale of the Luddite RiotsIn 1807 Yorkshire, amid the harsh discipline of school and the turmoil of the Luddite Riots, a young boy faces the brutal reality of industrial change and personal struggle.
Level C1AdventureThrough Three Campaigns: A Story of Chitral, Tirah and AshantiAmid harsh mountain terrain and relentless tribal foes, a young soldier prepares for the brutal realities of frontier warfare, where courage and endurance are tested in fierce camp…
Level C1HistoricalThrockmorton: A NovelIn a secluded Virginia lowland, an ancient church and its quirky community harbor secrets, wit, and charm amid timeless Southern stillness.
Level C1HistoricalThree studies in literatureExplore the rise and fall of Francis Jeffrey, a once-revered literary critic whose sharp reviews shaped 19th-century thought and taste, yet whose legacy now teeters between forgott…
Level C1HistoricalThree Philosophical Poets: Lucretius, Dante, and GoetheExplore the philosophical depths of three towering poets—Lucretius, Dante, and Goethe—whose works embody naturalism, supernaturalism, and romanticism, revealing how poetry and phil…
Level C1HistoricalThorstein of the mereAs Northmen flee their homeland under King Harald's conquest, Swein and his family settle in the wild, unclaimed lands of Lakeland.
Level C1HistoricalThoroughbredsIn the quiet village of Brookfield, horse racing divides families and neighbors, pitting honest passion against strict morality.
Level C1HistoricalThomas Lord CromwellA young scholar defies his humble blacksmith roots, dreaming of rising from modest beginnings to build a grand legacy amid the clamor of daily toil and the tides of fate in Tudor E…
Level C1HistoricalThomas Davis, selections from his prose and poetryDive into the passionate writings of a visionary Irish patriot who reshaped history, literature, and politics through poetry and prose.
Level C1HistoricalThis Then is Upland Pastures: Being some out-door essays dealing with the beautiful things that the spring and summer bringAwaken your senses to the tender charm of spring as woodsy meadows come alive with delicate blooms and whispered secrets of nature’s renewal.
Level C1HistoricalTheresa Marchmont, or, the Maid of Honour: A TaleOn a stormy autumn evening in 1676, Lord Greville returns to his gloomy ancestral home, Greville Cross, to attend to a dying servant whose loyalty spans generations.
Level C1RomanceThere was a King in EgyptAn English Egyptologist unearths ancient mysteries and mystical prophecies amid the tombs of Pharaohs, while the desert's timeless dawn reveals a world where history, faith, and ro…
Level C1HistoricalThere Is Sorrow on the SeaA man flees his homeland under the cover of night, haunted by love and betrayal, as he embarks on a perilous journey to distant lands.
Level C1HistoricalTheophanoIn a tense spring morning of 956, a noble youth lies wounded in a remote mountain hut, his fate entwined with the political and military upheavals of Byzantium.
Level C1HistoricalTheological Essays and Other Papers — Volume 2Amidst the 1844 upheaval, Scotland’s church faces a fierce schism sparked by disputes over clerical appointments and ecclesiastical authority, revealing hidden ambitions and deep-r…
Level C1HistoricalTheatrical and Circus Life: or, Secrets of the Stage, Green-Room and Sawdust ArenaStep behind the curtain to uncover the fascinating history and hidden secrets of the theatre and circus, from mesmerizing stage illusions to the colorful lives of performers.
Level C1HistoricalThe young pioneers of the North-westA spirited young girl defies caution to ride alone across the vast, wild prairie surrounding a frontier fort, forging a unique bond with her cherished pony while navigating the dan…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 8 (of 8)In a stirring sermon delivered before the House of Lords, the speaker urges deep reflection and repentance amid national turmoil, challenging dangerous political ideologies and emp…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 7 (of 8)A corrupt governor and his adulterous wife confront the Apostle Paul, who boldly challenges their vices with truths of righteousness and impending judgment.
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 6 (of 8)Dive into a thoughtful exploration of faith and duty, where a preacher’s wisdom is likened to a householder’s careful stewardship of treasures new and old, guiding believers throug…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 5 (of 8)Dive into a rigorous exploration of biblical prophecy, examining whether its predictions reveal divine inspiration or human invention.
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 4 (of 8)Amidst the turmoil of war and religious persecution, a hopeful vision unfolds of a prince destined to champion liberty and faith across Europe, challenging tyranny and igniting the…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 2 (of 8)Explore the art of poetry as a pursuit of pleasure, where language transforms into vivid images and rhythmic beauty, inviting readers to discover how words enchant the mind beyond…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 1 (of 8)Explore the life and achievements of a devoted clergyman rising from humble beginnings to bishopric, guided by education, faith, and influential friendships.
Level C1HistoricalThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16Explore the devout life and miraculous works of Saint Francis Xavier through a richly detailed historical narrative, revealing the profound impact of faith and divine providence ac…
Level C1HistoricalThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05Amidst brutal colonial conflict, English merchants in the Spice Islands face horrific torture and betrayal by the Dutch, igniting political and personal vengeance.
Level C1HistoricalThe women novelistsExplore the evolution of female novelists from early imitators of men to pioneers who forged a distinct literary voice, tracing key periods and groundbreaking works that shaped wom…
Level C1RomanceThe woman with a stone heartAmidst the turmoil of the Filipino insurrection, Marie Sampalit and her fiancé Rolando face postponed dreams and dangerous duties, testing their love and resolve against a backdrop…
Level C1HistoricalThe white doeAmid the fierce ambitions of English colonization, a determined explorer risks fortune and favor to establish a new world on Virginia’s coast.
Level C1MysteryThe ways of the hourIn a rapidly changing Manhattan, the flaws of the criminal justice system unravel through a gripping tale of jury bias and social injustice, exposing how prejudice and political sc…
Level C1AdventureThe ward of TecumsehIn 1812 Alabama, young Jack Telfair faces heartbreak and the looming threat of war, but an unexpected encounter with a Shawnee chief named Necana pulls him into a world of frontier…
Level C1HistoricalThe war of the CarolinasTwo restless friends, disillusioned with wealth and politics, yearn for a daring adventure beyond the ordinary.
Level C1AdventureThe war chiefIn a rugged frontier where savage instincts clash with the encroaching forces of civilization, two bloodlines—one Apache, one pioneer—converge in a tale of survival, heritage, and…
Level C1AdventureThe wanderings and fortunes of some German emigrantsA diverse group of German emigrants bound for America unite under shared laws and hopes, ready to brave the unknown and cultivate a new life in the primeval forests of the New Worl…
Level C1AdventureThe virgin of the sunA desperate band of Spanish conquistadors, stranded and starving on a desolate island, wrestles with hunger and hope as they prepare to embark on a perilous journey to conquer the…
Level C1HistoricalThe victorySet on a sprawling Virginia plantation in 1860, this story unfolds amid festive Christmas celebrations at Harrowby Manor, where centuries of family history and the complex lives of…
Level C1HistoricalThe unique story bookAmidst the turmoil of the Civil War, a daring raid led by Captain Benson uncovers hidden diamonds and sparks unexpected acts of bravery and kindness.
Level C1RomanceThe truce of God: A tale of the eleventh centuryIn a turbulent eleventh century Europe torn by private wars and fading imperial power, feudalism emerges as a fragile yet vital system of justice and protection.
Level C1HistoricalThe triumph over MidianA fragile heiress returns home, transformed by health and hope, to rediscover joy in familiar places and the promise of new bonds with her cousin.
Level C1HistoricalThe treatment of nature in English poetry between Pope and WordsworthExplore the shifting attitudes toward Nature in English poetry during the transformative eighteenth century, tracing the roots of Romanticism through poetry, painting, and gardens…
Level C1RomanceThe traitor's wayHaunted by a shame that isolates him, a disgraced nobleman clings to a dangerous secret and forbidden love, risking honor and friendship in a tense court rife with conspiracy and b…