Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
829 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 The Mesmerist's Victim, The Merry Men, and Other Tales and Fables and The Mercy of the Lord. 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.
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Level B2AdventureThe Mutineers: A Tale of Old Days at Sea and of Adventures in the Far East as Benjamin Lathrop Set It Down Some Sixty Years AgoA determined young man convinces his wary father to let him join a sea voyage to Canton, stepping into a world of adventure, mutiny, and far-flung dangers aboard the ship Island Pr…
Level B2AdventureThe Musket Boys of Old BostonIn the tense days before the American Revolution, two boys in Concord spy a mysterious youth igniting a secret signal, sparking their curiosity and plunging them into the thrilling…
Level B2AdventureThe Motor Maids' School DaysWhen Billie Campbell arrives at West Haven High School driving her own bright red motor car, she stirs curiosity and rivalry among the students, especially with the exclusive "Myst…
Level B2AdventureThe Motor Maids Across the ContinentFour adventurous young women leave school behind to embark on a thrilling motorcar journey from Chicago to San Francisco, embracing freedom, friendship, and the open road against a…
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of the Wyoming ValleyAmid the fierce land disputes and factional warfare in Wyoming Valley during the Revolutionary era, young settlers navigate perilous alliances and battles for survival as they defe…
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of York TownTwo Virginia boys, Saul and Fitzroy, are drawn into the revolutionary struggle after witnessing brutal British tactics near York Town.
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of South CarolinaTwo South Carolina boys join the daring guerrilla fight led by Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," as patriots resist British forces crushing the colonies.
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of PhiladelphiaAmid British occupation in Philadelphia, two young patriots navigate danger and daring plans to reclaim stolen horses from the king’s forces, risking everything to aid the cause of…
Level B2HistoricalThe Minute Boys of Long IslandThree young boys on Long Island band together as the Minute Boys, determined to defend their homes and fight for freedom amid growing Tory threats and the looming British invasion…
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of BostonIn the tense days before the American Revolution, a group of Boston boys band together as the Minute Boys, ready to stand against British oppression and fight for their colony’s fr…
Level B2AdventureThe Messenger of the Black PrinceIn a turbulent France threatened by the Black Prince’s relentless advance, a mysterious man claiming to be the king’s fool challenges loyalties and provokes uneasy questions about…
Level B2RomanceThe Mesmerist's VictimIn the vibrant chaos of 1770 Paris, a young beauty named Andrea navigates the crowded streets amid royal celebrations, where danger and desire intertwine beneath the dazzling firew…
Level B2HistoricalThe Merchant of Berlin: An Historical NovelAmid the grim backdrop of the 1760 Silesian War, a wealthy Berlin merchant defies the somber mood by hosting a rare festival for his hardworking artisans, revealing the tensions an…
Level B2HistoricalThe Memoirs of an American CitizenA young man arrives destitute in 1876 Chicago, forced to sleep rough by the lakeshore as he searches for work and a place to belong.
Level B2AdventureThe Mate of the "Lily"; Or, Notes from Harry Musgrave's Log BookAmidst the vast seas, Jack Radburn, a brave and loyal mate, faces a perilous new voyage aboard the well-built brig "Lily.
Level B2AdventureThe Masters of the Peaks: A Story of the Great North WoodsIn the autumn wilderness of the Great North Woods, young Robert Lennox and his companions face the looming dangers of war and survival.
Level B2HistoricalThe Master of StairIn the misty Highlands, a band of Macdonald clansmen navigate treacherous terrain and encounter a mysterious lone horseman cloaked in scarlet—only to discover a woman rider whose p…
Level B2HistoricalThe Man in Gray: A Romance of North and SouthAmid the glittering halls of Arlington, young Southern society prepares for a grand ball as tensions over slavery mount in Washington.
Level B2AdventureThe Man from Glengarry: A Tale of the OttawaIn the rugged forests of early Canada, fierce rival lumbermen vie for control of the river, where courage, faith, and fierce pride shape their lives and the destiny of a nation in…
Level B2HistoricalThe Man Without a CountryA man’s furious rejection of his country leads to a haunting sentence: never to hear of the United States again.
Level B2AdventureThe Lure of the MississippiAs the Civil War erupts, a battery of soldiers hastens down the Mississippi, leaving a tense Sioux frontier behind.
Level B2AdventureThe Lost HeirIn the tense aftermath of a tiger attack in the Indian jungle, a mysterious English civilian named Mr.
Level B2AdventureThe Lost Gold of the Montezumas: A Story of the AlamoIn a shadowy cave beneath the gods of the Montezumas, a mysterious figure named Tetzcatl plots to stir up fierce Native tribes and lure Americans into a deadly trap amid the turbul…
Level B2MysteryThe Lost DespatchIn the frozen Maryland woods of 1864, a secret mission unfolds as two Union agents race to uncover the identity of a spy delaying crucial military despatches—could the fate of the…
Level B2AdventureThe Loss of the Royal GeorgeA young boy is thrust into life aboard the mighty Royal George during the tumultuous Seven Years’ War, facing the chaos of naval battles and the harsh realities of the sea as Engla…
Level B2AdventureThe Lords of the Wild: A Story of the Old New York BorderAmid the vibrant wilderness of the Old New York border, a young man named Robert Lennox seeks refuge and strength while navigating the dangers of the frontier.
Level B2HistoricalThe Lonely WarriorIn 1914, a young architect wrestles with his duty to join a distant war that threatens the world’s fragile peace, confronting his father’s pragmatic caution and his own restless id…
Level B2AdventureThe Log of a Cowboy: A Narrative of the Old Trail DaysAmid the aftermath of the Civil War, a young boy embarks on a rugged journey from Georgia to Texas, learning the true meaning of courage and survival while guarding his family’s pr…
Level B2HistoricalThe Log School-House on the ColumbiaAmid the towering peaks and vast wilderness of the Oregon Territory, a young German girl with dreams of poetry and music navigates the rugged life of pioneer settlers, caught betwe…
Level B2HistoricalThe Littlest RebelIn the shadow of the Civil War, a spirited seven-year-old girl named Virgie brings innocence and imagination to a world scarred by conflict, weaving childhood play with the harsh r…
Level B2HistoricalThe Little Washington's RelativesWhen city cousins arrive, George and Martha eagerly plan adventures to share their hometown’s history, including battles, homesteads, and playful reenactments, promising a lively a…
Level B2HistoricalThe Little Old PortraitAmid the turmoil of the French Revolution, a humble farmhouse in Touraine becomes a beacon of hope and courage, where children prepare to celebrate their mother’s birthday amidst m…
Level B2HistoricalThe Little ImmigrantA young girl reluctantly leaves her home to join her sister in America, embarking on a challenging six-week sea voyage and navigating the unfamiliar landscapes of Texas.
Level B2HistoricalThe Little Duke: Richard the FearlessIn 943 Normandy, young Richard, heir to Duke William, grows up under the care of loyal vassals in the rugged Castle of Bayeux, where ancient customs and fierce loyalties shape his…
Level B2HistoricalThe Little ColonelA spirited young girl and her lively terrier arrive at a grand Kentucky estate, stirring curiosity in the stern old colonel who guards its grounds.
Level B2AdventureThe Lion of Saint Mark: A Story of Venice in the Fourteenth CenturyIn 14th-century Venice, a young English boy navigates a city of shimmering canals and shadowy councils, caught between the proud republic’s fierce independence and the looming thre…
Level B2AdventureThe Lily and the Cross: A Tale of AcadiaCaught in a fog aboard a modest schooner bound for Louisbourg, a young captain, a mysterious French priest, and a spirited youth embark on a voyage steeped in secrets and adventure…
Level B2AdventureThe LighthouseTwo fishermen brave the treacherous Bell Rock, a notorious hazard lurking beneath the waves, as a fierce storm has just passed, leaving wreckage and danger in its wake.
Level B2AdventureThe Light Keepers: A Story of the United States Light-house ServiceAmidst fog and crashing waves, veteran lighthouse keepers confront a mysterious boat approaching their isolated station, testing their courage and camaraderie in the wild sea.
Level B2RomanceThe Life and Death of Cormac the SkaldIn a land ruled by Vikings and ancient magic, Cormac, the fiery son of a great champion, navigates fierce battles, bitter rivalries, and a tragic love that shapes his destiny amids…
Level B2AdventureThe Liberty Boys Running the Blockade; or, Getting Out of New YorkIn occupied New York, young patriots known as the Liberty Boys navigate British spies and secret signals, turning the tables on their enemies as they plan a daring escape.
Level B2HistoricalThe Letters of "Norah" on Her Tour Through IrelandSet sail on a vivid journey through Ireland as a determined traveler navigates seasickness, smoky train rides, and bustling ports, all while capturing the spirit and landscapes of…
Level B2HistoricalThe Leopard's Spots: A Romance of the White Man's Burden—1865-1900In the turbulent aftermath of the Civil War, a Southern hero returns to a land reshaped by defeat and Reconstruction, where old loyalties clash with new realities and the fight for…
Level B2HistoricalThe Legends of San FranciscoAn ancient Tamalpais maiden recounts the sacred legend of her people, revealing the mystical origins of Mount Tamalpais and the vanished tribes who once thrived along San Francisco…
Level B2AdventureThe Last of the Chiefs: A Story of the Great Sioux WarTwo brothers journey across the harsh, sun-scorched plains toward California, battling exhaustion, rough company, and relentless heat in hopes that the mountains will bring healing…
Level B2HistoricalThe Last Vendée; or, the She-Wolves of MachecoulAmid the decaying grandeur of a forgotten château near the forest of Machecoul, the last noble descendant faces the shadows of a turbulent past in revolutionary France, where loyal…
Level B2AdventureThe Last TrailA weary group halts in a shadowy Ohio valley as their guide mysteriously deserts them, leaving them vulnerable in a wild frontier where danger lurks in the dark—will they survive t…
Level B2AdventureThe Last RebelLost in the vast, untamed wilderness of the Appalachian Mountains, a lone hunter battles fatigue, hunger, and a looming snowstorm as he searches for shelter and a way back to camp.