Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
2,205 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 Bush Boys: History and Adventures of a Cape Farmer and his Family, The Burial of the Guns and The Burgomaster's Wife — Complete. 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.
- 2,205
- books
Level C1HistoricalThe Brownie of Bodsbeck, and Other Tales (Vol. 1 of 2)In a tense Scottish village, Walter of Chapelhope grapples with ominous rumors and secret night wanderings that threaten his family’s peace.
Level C1AdventureThe Brown MaskIn the shadowy "Punch-Bowl" tavern, a group of daring gentlemen live on the edge of society, weaving through danger, romance, and intrigue.
Level C1HistoricalThe Brook Kerith: A Syrian storyIn a Syrian village, young Joseph’s curiosity about ancient prophets sparks a yearning to fulfill a divine destiny, challenging his family’s doubts and setting him on a path intert…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bronze Eagle: A Story of the Hundred DaysAs dawn breaks over the Mediterranean, a fleet approaches the French shore, heralding the return of a legendary emperor from exile.
Level C1HistoricalThe Brontë Family, with special reference to Patrick Branwell Brontë. Vol. 1 of 2Explore the untold story of Patrick Branwell Brontë and his profound influence on his famous sisters, revealing new letters, poems, and insights that challenge previous biographies…
Level C1HistoricalThe Broken Sword; Or, A Pictorial Page in ReconstructionIn the turbulent aftermath of the Civil War, the South struggles under Reconstruction’s harsh rule, where oppression and lawlessness threaten to crush its spirit.
Level C1HistoricalThe Broken Font: A Story of the Civil War, Vol. 2 (of 2)As the Civil War looms, Katharine Heywood grapples with painful secrets and the fate of loved ones, while her cousin Arthur eagerly prepares to join the loyalist cause, embodying y…
Level C1HistoricalThe Broken Font: A Story of the Civil War, Vol. 1 (of 2)Amidst the tranquil English countryside on the eve of civil war, a young boy’s innocent question stirs unease in his great-uncle, revealing the tensions and harsh punishments shado…
Level C1AdventureThe Brighton Boys in the Argonne ForestAmid the grit and glory of World War I, American soldiers from Brighton Academy return to the front lines with unyielding courage and camaraderie, ready to face the horrors of batt…
Level C1AdventureThe Bright Face of Danger: Being an Account of Some Adventures of Henri de Launay, Son of the Sieur de la TournoireA scholarly young gentleman embarks on a daring journey to Paris fueled by a whimsical challenge to cut off a stranger's moustaches and impress a capricious lady.
Level C1HistoricalThe Brigade CommanderAmid the tense silence of a misty September night, a ruthless brigade commander earns fierce loyalty through victory rather than kindness, as soldiers brace for a surprise battle a…
Level C1RomanceThe Bridge of the GodsIn the rugged Oregon wilderness, ancient legends come alive as powerful Indian tribes navigate love, conflict, and the mystical Bridge of the Gods—a natural stone arch said to have…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bride of the Nile — CompleteAmidst the decline of Byzantine Egypt under rising Arab power, a determined Moslem merchant leads a guarded caravan into the shadow of the Pyramids, navigating political tension, f…
Level C1RomanceThe Bride of LammermoorA young woman caught between a secret vow and her parents' will faces a tragic choice in a tale of love, duty, and family power set against the backdrop of a distinguished Scottish…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bridal of Pennacook: Part 2 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierFive travelers navigate the wild northern hills, weaving through majestic landscapes and stormy weather, while forging unexpected bonds and facing personal trials amidst the untame…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bridal WreathIn 14th-century Norway, Lavrans and his somber wife Ragnfrid move to the remote Jörundgaard estate, where faith, family loss, and quiet strength shape their lives alongside their s…
Level C1AdventureThe BrethrenAmid the clash of Crusaders and Saracens, a noblewoman with divided blood stands at the center of a fierce holy war, challenging a merciful yet determined king to choose peace over…
Level C1AdventureThe Breaking of the Storm, Vol. I.As a storm gathers over the rugged coastline, a determined young woman aboard a steamer observes the tense discussions of two men disputing the fate of a contested harbor and railw…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bravo: A TaleAmid the vibrant, tangled streets of Venice, where power and politics intertwine beneath a veneer of grandeur, explore the intricate dance of republics and monarchies, and the frag…
Level C1GothicThe Bravo of Venice: A RomanceBeneath the tranquil moonlit skies of Venice, dark secrets and mysterious passions stir as a daring bravo navigates a world of intrigue and romance.
Level C1AdventureThe Bravest of the Brave — or, with Peterborough in SpainAmidst the turbulent War of the Spanish Succession, a daring general with a fiery temper and unmatched genius faces both battlefield dangers and personal conflicts, while a young g…
Level C1HistoricalThe Branding Needle; or, The Monastery of Charolles: A Tale of the First Communal CharterIn a tranquil valley untouched by feudal tyranny, a vibrant community thrives under the shadow of a monastery, setting the stage for the first communal charter that challenges the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Boys' and Girls' Plutarch: Being Parts of the "Lives" of Plutarch, Edited for Boys and GirlsJourney alongside Theseus, son of Aegeus, as he lifts a hidden sword and shoes, setting out through perilous lands rife with robbers and warriors, destined to fulfill his legendary…
Level C1HistoricalThe Boys of Old Monmouth: A Story of Washington's Campaign in New Jersey in 1778Amid the lush landscapes of Old Monmouth, New Jersey, witness the fierce struggles and steadfast courage of its patriots during Washington's 1778 campaign.
Level C1AdventureThe Boy who sailed with BlakeThree young friends in a quiet coastal town find themselves drawn into the turbulent struggle for civil and religious liberty during England’s Civil War, inspired by the steadfast…
Level C1AdventureThe Boy and the BaronIn a lawless medieval land where knights have turned to robbers, children playing near a castle glimpse a mysterious armored rider bearing an unusual burden—sparking wonder and fea…
Level C1HistoricalThe Boy PatriotIn a rugged coastal town shaped by hardship and the sea, a courageous boy rises as a leader among his peers, embodying the spirit of a new century.
Level C1AdventureThe Boy Knight: A Tale of the CrusadesA fifteen-year-old boy with both Saxon and Norman blood watches armed men gather at the Earl of Evesham's castle, hinting at a brewing conflict with outlaws and rival barons.
Level C1AdventureThe Boy Crusaders: A Story of the Days of Louis IX.Two young squires at a northern English castle train in chivalry, then embark on a perilous crusade alongside the saintly King Louis IX, facing battles and intrigue in their quest…
Level C1HistoricalThe Botanic Garden. Part 2, Containing the Loves of the Plants. A Poem.: With Philosophical Notes.Explore the intricate world of plant reproduction through poetic verses and philosophical insights, revealing Linnaeus's sexual system and the botanical classification that uncover…
Level C1HistoricalThe Botanic Garden, a Poem in Two Parts. Part 1: the Economy of VegetationDive into a poetic journey where imagination meets science, exploring the physiology of plants and the elemental forces that nurture vegetation.
Level C1HistoricalThe Boss, and How He Came to Rule New YorkA lawless youth from an Irish immigrant family rises through the gritty streets of New York to become the powerful chief of Tammany Hall.
Level C1AdventureThe Border Rifles: A Tale of the Texan WarAmid the vast, untamed forests of early 19th-century America, settlers and Native tribes collide as the frontier pushes westward.
Level C1RomanceThe Book of the Duke of True LoversAmidst the turmoil of medieval France, a noble duke and his beloved endure separation and longing, their secret romance unfolding through stolen moments and heartfelt poems.
Level C1HistoricalThe Book of the DeadExplore the mystical funerary texts of ancient Egypt, revealing spells and prayers crafted to protect the dead from dark forces on their journey to the afterlife.
Level C1HistoricalThe Book of MasksExplore a profound journey through the art of literary criticism, where original expression and the soul’s reflection shape the timeless dialogue on creativity, individuality, and…
Level C1HistoricalThe Book of Delight, and other papersExplore a vivid tapestry of medieval life through spoken addresses and poetic narratives that blend folklore, humor, and personal insight.
Level C1HistoricalThe BondwomanAmid the glittering salons of Paris and the deep-rooted traditions of the American South, a young lieutenant navigates family honor, social intrigues, and the legacy of land and sl…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bondman: A Story of the Times of Wat TylerIn 1374, Sudley Castle hosts a tense ceremony where vassals pledge loyalty to their new lord amid the rigid feudal system.
Level C1HistoricalThe Bondman: A New SagaSet against the turbulent loss of Iceland’s independence in 1800, a saga unfolds where fierce passions and ancient legends collide amid the rugged Northern landscape.
Level C1HistoricalThe Blue and the Gray; Or, The Civil War as Seen by a Boy: A Story of Patriotism and Adventure in Our War for the UnionA young boy’s firsthand journey through the Civil War reveals the deep conflicts of loyalty and duty as he fights to preserve the Union, facing battles, harsh realities, and the pa…
Level C1HistoricalThe Blue PavilionsIn a bustling 1673 Harwich, Captain John Barker, a hunchbacked naval officer, navigates the lively port’s politics and intrigues amidst the aftermath of war.
Level C1AdventureThe Blue Dragon: A Tale of Recent Adventure in ChinaA young Chinese immigrant faces harsh prejudice and hostility in small-town America, revealing tensions between cultures and the struggles of a proud people seeking respect and opp…
Level C1RomanceThe Blockade of Phalsburg: An Episode of the End of the EmpireIn 1814, as the allies besiege the walled town of Phalsburg during the collapse of an empire, a determined Jewish iron merchant narrates the struggles and hopes of his family amid…
Level C1HistoricalThe Blacksmith's Hammer; or, The Peasant Code: A Tale of the Grand MonarchAmid the tempestuous seas of 17th-century France, a determined sailor rises from humble peasant roots to captain his own ship, weaving a tale of resilience, family legacy, and the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black-Sealed Letter: Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney.In foggy 1869 London, the Charlston family embodies industrious respectability amidst a city teeming with both wealth and squalor.
Level C1HistoricalThe Black Troopers, and other storiesIn the rugged Australian frontier of 1849, tensions rise as a wounded aboriginal man and a notorious outlaw named Bobby Peel bring to light the fierce and brutal conflicts between…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black Prophet: A Tale Of Irish Famine: Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of: William Carleton, Volume ThreeIn a bleak Irish glen shadowed by famine and mystery, a young woman awaits news that could change her fate amid whispers of prophecy, murder, and survival.