Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
2,033 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 Motion pictures, 1940-1949, Mother of Pearl and Moscow: A Story of the French Invasion of 1812. 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 C1HistoricalMr. Bonaparte of CorsicaBorn second among thirteen siblings on Corsica, a young Napoleon already exhibits a fierce determination and military spirit, foreshadowing his destined rise amidst the challenges…
Level C1HistoricalMr. Bennett and Mrs. BrownDelve into the shifting nature of human character and the art of creating convincing fictional personas as society transforms around 1910, challenging novelists to capture the elus…
Level C1HistoricalMr. Arnold: A romance of the RevolutionIn the gray chill of a 1780 tavern, amid war’s despair and desertion, a patriot captain faces bitter betrayal and personal threats as the Revolution’s stakes rise beyond the battle…
Level C1HistoricalMotion pictures, 1940-1949Explore a comprehensive catalog of motion pictures registered in the U.
Level C1HistoricalMother of PearlA disgraced Roman nobleman, exiled for scandal, returns to Rome with wisdom and solitude, only to reunite unexpectedly with the former Procurator of Judæa.
Level C1HistoricalMoscow: A Story of the French Invasion of 1812Amid the harsh realities of early 19th-century Russian nobility, a young boy’s betrothal unfolds against the looming backdrop of war, revealing a world of rigid tradition, serfdom,…
Level C1FantasyMorning StarIn ancient Egypt, a powerful queen’s immortal "Ka" must navigate treacherous plots and forbidden magic to escape a deadly marriage and protect her throne, blending history, romance…
Level C1RomanceMorien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval DutchA Moorish knight, born of a mysterious union between a Christian and a Moorish princess, embarks on a quest intertwined with the legendary Grail and the complex legacy of Arthurian…
Level B2HistoricalMore Seeds of Knowledge; Or, Another Peep at CharlesJoin young Charles as he eagerly explores geography, grammar, and the world around him, guided by his parents’ lessons and stories that bring distant lands and languages to life.
Level C1HistoricalMore BywordsIn a rugged Roman-Gallic villa, the people of Claudiodunum gather for a sacred procession invoking divine protection over their lands, while a senator and his guest watch from afar…
Level C1HistoricalMoral Poison in Modern FictionExplore the upheaval of traditional morality as war and revolutionary ideas challenge the old codes, exposing the raw and often dangerous realities faced by a generation thrust int…
Level B2AdventureMoonfleetIn a fading seaside village steeped in secrets, fifteen-year-old John Trenchard finds himself drawn into a perilous world of smuggling and adventure, where danger and mystery lurk…
Level C1HistoricalMoon of Israel: A Tale of the ExodusAmidst the reign of Pharaoh Seti II, Ana the royal scribe recounts the ancient conflict between Egypt and the Hebrews, revealing hidden truths of the Exodus through his intimate ex…
Level C1AdventureMontlivetIn 1695, Armand de Montlivet arrives at a French garrison on the edge of the untamed wilderness, where alliances with Native tribes and the pursuit of opportunity intertwine amid t…
Level C1AdventureMontezuma's DaughterAs the Spanish empire wanes, Thomas Wingfield recounts his extraordinary years among the Aztec peoples during Cortes's conquest of Mexico, revealing hidden treasures, fierce battle…
Level C1HistoricalMonsieur MauriceA young girl escapes her strict upbringing to live with her retired colonel father at the grand but gaudy Château of Augustenburg, where the freedom of sprawling gardens and echoin…
Level C1RomanceMonsieur BeaucaireA clever young Frenchman exposes a cheating duke at a high-stakes card game, setting off a daring game of wit and deception.
Level C1RomanceMonica: A Novel, Volume 3 (of 3)In a world of social expectations and hidden sorrows, Beatrice wrestles with a restless heart and a complicated past involving the enigmatic Tom Pendrill.
Level C1HistoricalMoney (L'Argent)In the ruthless world of finance, greed and corruption run rampant as promoters and speculators manipulate markets, leaving the public vulnerable to ruin.
Level B2RomanceMona; Or, The Secret of a Royal MirrorA captivating young widow with a mysterious past and dazzling beauty draws the attention of a successful broker in a bustling Chicago hotel, igniting a tender and intriguing romanc…
Level B2HistoricalMolly, the Drummer Boy: A Story of the RevolutionAmid the turmoil of the American Revolution, young Debby Mason faces heartbreak as her father is cast out from their town, but an unexpected chance to join the fight as a drummer b…
Level B2HistoricalMolly Brown's Sophomore DaysReturning to her beloved college dorm, a spirited sophomore reconnects with friends and encounters surprises that test her loyalty and zest for campus life.
Level C1RomanceMoll Davis: a comedyIn 1661 London, a sharp-witted young woman stranded at a rough inn faces a standoff with its landlord over unpaid debts, until a charming yet unscrupulous cavalier arrives to stir…
Level C1HistoricalMohun; Or, the Last Days of Lee and His Paladins.: Final Memoirs of a Staff Officer Serving in Virginia. from the Mss. of Colonel Surry, of Eagle's Nest.Experience the final days of General Lee and his loyal paladins through the eyes of a staff officer, as battles like Gettysburg and the fall of the Confederacy unfold with vivid de…
Level C1RomanceMohawks: A Novel. Volume 3 of 3Amidst the glittering social whirl of London’s new reign, Lady Judith Topsparkle’s card parties and a playwright’s daring debut on Drury Lane set the stage for intrigue, ambition,…
Level C1HistoricalMohawks: A Novel. Volume 2 of 3In a world of ambition and rivalry, two friends clash over love and power, navigating secrets and shifting alliances amid the glittering yet treacherous backdrop of high society an…
Level C1HistoricalMohawks: A Novel. Volume 1 of 3On a quiet heathery knoll in 1709, a farmer discovers a dead vagrant and a helpless infant left alone by the roadside.
Level C1RomanceMohammed Ali and His HouseAmidst the tempestuous sea and brewing storm, a proud youth named Mohammed defies warnings, setting the stage for a tale of courage, conflict, and the fierce forces that bind a coa…
Level C1HistoricalModernitiesExplore the restless spirit of modernity through vivid portraits of thinkers and creators shaped by the upheaval of the French Revolution.
Level C1HistoricalModern Poets and Poetry of SpainExplore the rich world of modern Spanish poetry through critical insights and English translations that reveal the minds and culture of Spain’s literary elite, bridging history and…
Level C1HistoricalModern Italian Poets; Essays and VersionsExplore the passionate intersection of poetry and politics in Italy’s struggle for national unity, as poets wield their pens like swords to inspire freedom and shape a new era duri…
Level B2HistoricalModern English Books of PowerExplore the lives and works of the greatest modern English writers, from Macaulay to Kipling, unveiling the spiritual essence behind their timeless classics and the personal strugg…
Level C1HistoricalModern Eloquence: Vol III, After-Dinner Speeches P-ZCelebrate unity and shared heritage as voices from North and South gather to reflect on reconciliation, honor, and the enduring bonds that shape a nation.
Level C1RomanceMistress WildingA tense, scandalous encounter erupts when a young man insults Mr.
Level C1HistoricalMistress Spitfire: A Plain Account of Certain Episodes in the History of Richard Coope, Gent., and of His Cousin, Mistress Alison French, at the Time of the Revolution, 1642-1644Amid the relentless rain and political turmoil of 1642-1644, Richard Coope grapples with restless boredom and family strife in a damp country house, longing for escape and meaningf…
Level C1RomanceMistress PenwickA young woman raised in a Quebec convent learns she must leave for England under the care of a stern Scottish guardian who controls her inheritance and marriage prospects.
Level C1HistoricalMistress Nell: A Merry Tale of a Merry TimeIn Restoration England, amidst royal intrigues and vibrant theatre nights, the spirited Nell Gwyn navigates a world of wit, revelry, and courtly charm, where love and laughter mask…
Level B2RomanceMistress Nancy Molesworth: A Tale of AdventureA proud young heir faces ruin when he inherits a heavily mortgaged estate, forcing him to choose between strict economy or a strategic marriage—despite his bitter distrust of women…
Level C1HistoricalMistress MargeryIn 1395 Lovell Tower bustles with springtime preparations, where the delicate yet accomplished Mistress Margery navigates her noble duties and secret scholarly pursuits, revealing…
Level C1MysteryMississippi Outlaws and the Detectives: Don Pedro and the Detectives; Poisoner and the DetectivesIn the lawless post-war South, daring express robberies and elusive outlaws challenge the wits and courage of detectives determined to bring justice.
Level C1RomanceMiss Sarah Jack of Spanish Town, JamaicaIn a fading Jamaican paradise, Maurice Cumming battles relentless misfortune to keep his family sugar estate alive amid the island’s social upheaval and economic decline.
Level C1HistoricalMiss Ravenel's conversion from secession to loyaltyIn the aftermath of Fort Sumter's fall, a loyal young lawyer in New Boston meets Miss Lillie Ravenel, a Southern exile torn between secession and loyalty.
Level C1HistoricalMiss Hildreth: A Novel, Volume 2In the shadow of Russia’s oppressive Petropavlovsk fortress, young Ivor Tolskoi navigates a world of secret police, imperial intrigue, and forbidden love, where hope flickers amid…
Level C1HistoricalMiss Eden's LettersExplore the witty and insightful letters of a politically engaged woman navigating the intrigues of 19th-century society and family life, revealing the intimate world behind histor…
Level B2RomanceMiss DexieAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, a New England family grapples with divided loyalties as a man must confront his Southern-born mother's opposition to his Union enlistment, while…
Level C1HistoricalMiss Cheyne of Essilmont, Volume 3 (of 3)Amid the dense jungles and brutal conflicts of the Ashantee War, soldiers face fierce battles, strange omens, and the harsh realities of colonial warfare.
Level C1RomanceMiss Cheyne of Essilmont, Volume 1 (of 3)A chance meeting between Alison Cheyne, the last of her line, and Captain Goring, a soldier bound by loss and duty, sparks a connection amid the thrill of a royal hunt and the shad…
Level B2HistoricalMiss Ashton's New Pupil: A School Girl's StoryA young girl from a remote missionary family arrives late at an esteemed eastern academy for young ladies, facing the challenges of fitting into a world far different from her own.