Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
1,025 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.
- 1,025
- books
Level B2HistoricalThree Little Women: A Story for GirlsAmidst a gloomy, rain-soaked afternoon in Riveredge, spirited Jean Carruth longs to escape the confines of home and explore, determined to brave the weather for fresh air and a vis…
Level B2HistoricalThree Little Women's Success: A Story for GirlsIn the charming town of Riveredge, spirited Jean Carruth and her determined family navigate the challenges of youth, ambition, and independence, set against the vibrant backdrop of…
Level B2HistoricalTheobald, the Iron-Hearted; Or, Love to EnemiesIn the midst of a brutal 15th-century battle, a young boy and his grandfather discover a wounded chevalier left for dead.
Level B2HistoricalThen Marched the BraveIn the turmoil of 1776 Manhattan, a crippled boy yearns to prove his bravery as his mother mourns lost sons and battles fierce loyalty to freedom.
Level B2HistoricalThe vampire catIn a serene Japanese setting, a mysterious vampire cat weaves its legend through the lives of a prince and his attendants, blending supernatural intrigue with cultural tradition in…
Level B2HistoricalThe story of a HessianAmidst the dangers of the Thuringerwald forest, a noble hunting party faces ominous signs as wolves threaten a village, intertwining the lives of a grieving family and a proud prin…
Level B2HistoricalThe shoemakerIn a struggling New York neighborhood, a shoemaker rebuilds his life after fleeing persecution, raising his devoted daughter Dora amidst hardship and hope.
Level B2HistoricalThe seed she sowedIn a struggling dockside community, young Winny Chaplin brings warmth and hope to her family amid harsh poverty and illness.
Level B2AdventureThe secret of the Australian desertIn the scorching heart of Australia’s desert, a daring expedition sets out to unravel the mysterious fate of explorer Ludwig Leichhardt and uncover ancient secrets hidden beneath t…
Level B2AdventureThe sailor heroAs war with France erupts, a spirited young midshipman aboard the flagship Victory faces rivalry and suspicion over his mysterious origins, while forging unlikely alliances and pro…
Level B2AdventureThe sailor boyA young sailor’s heart burns with patriotic fire as news of a naval victory ignites his dreams of joining the fight, but his mother wrestles with the cost of war on her family and…
Level B2RomanceThe rose of old St. LouisA young man recovering from river fever embarks on a tense mission to St.
Level B2RomanceThe rebellion of the PrincessIn a cold Moscow courtyard, a defiant figure mocks a cruel steward, sparking a daring rebellion within the oppressive walls of a boyar’s palace—where power, wit, and courage collid…
Level B2MysteryThe phantom hunter; or, love after deathIn a Kentucky frontier settlement, a young man is condemned for the arson and murder of his uncle, despite his honorable reputation.
Level B2Science FictionThe outlaw of TornIn 13th-century England, a bold challenge to King Henry III ignites a fierce power struggle, setting the stage for the mysterious visored horseman and a tale of revenge and lost ro…
Level B2RomanceThe oak staircaseIn a lively schoolroom debate, three children dream of adventure, history, and time travel, setting the stage for a tale woven from real historical episodes and romantic intrigue a…
Level B2AdventureThe nugget findersTwo resourceful boys, an orphan and a young sailor, embark on a daring adventure in Australia’s gold fields, armed with courage, friendship, and a modest sum of money, determined t…
Level B2AdventureThe moving picture boys at PanamaTwo adventurous boys on a powerful motorcycle enjoy a peaceful vacation until a runaway horse-drawn carriage races toward a broken bridge, forcing them to act quickly to prevent di…
Level B2AdventureThe mid of the maintopAmidst a fierce storm off the coast of Africa, a daring midshipman falls overboard from a British frigate hunting slave traders, sparking a desperate search through fog and towerin…
Level B2HistoricalThe martyr of the catacombsIn ancient Rome's brutal Coliseum, gladiators fight for survival amid a bloodthirsty crowd led by Emperor Decius.
Level B2HistoricalThe little book of British quadrupedsExplore the fascinating traits and stories of British quadrupeds, from the hardy Kyloe Ox of Scotland to the noble Arabian racehorse, revealing their unique roles, behaviors, and e…
Level B2RomanceThe little Cuban rebelA young war correspondent aboard a steamer bound for Santiago de Cuba becomes captivated by a mysterious, beautiful stranger whose presence stirs unexpected feelings amid the loomi…
Level B2HistoricalThe kings and queens of England, with other poemsExplore the turbulent reigns of England’s monarchs from William the Norman to Bloody Mary, blending history and verse to reveal power struggles, legendary figures, and the human st…
Level B2HistoricalThe hidden treasureIn 1527 Bridgewater, a kind-hearted baker supports a struggling family caught between old religious traditions and new beliefs, while his children face uncertain futures shaped by…
Level B2AdventureThe great Pike's Peak rushAs thousands swarm toward the Pike's Peak gold fields in 1859, young Terry Richards faces a tempting choice between the hard life of the family ranch and the wild promise of striki…
Level B2AdventureThe gold rock of the ChippewaIn 1775 near the Great Lakes, two American brothers face judgment from a Chippewa tribe torn between hostility and hospitality.
Level B2HistoricalThe freed boy in AlabamaIn post-Civil War Alabama, young Tom Alson wrestles with a choice between pursuing an education and accepting hard labor on a plantation.
Level B2HistoricalThe foster-sistersIn a sunlit convent in Provence, a young girl recalls her childhood filled with secret corners, whispered histories, and the gentle care of Mother Prudentia.
Level B2HistoricalThe fortunes of FifiIn 1804 Paris, Mademoiselle Fifi rises to become the leading lady of the Imperial Theater, navigating the treacherous world of ambition, flirtations, and power struggles behind the…
Level B2AdventureThe fort in the wildernessYoung hunters navigate the dangers of the Virginia wilderness amid rising tensions between settlers and Native tribes led by Chief Pontiac.
Level B2HistoricalThe fog princesIn a stately Welsh castle blending ancient grandeur with modern comforts, the Earl of St.
Level B2AdventureThe desert homeVast and varied, the Great American Desert stretches over a million square miles of shifting sands, rugged mountains, and surprising oases, inviting daring explorers to uncover its…
Level B2AdventureThe cruise of the SnarkA daring crew abandons comfort and convention to sail their small yacht, the Snark, around the world, driven by a thirst for personal achievement and the call of the sea’s wild adv…
Level B2HistoricalThe corporal's storyAmidst border tensions and youthful dreams, a seasoned corporal watches over eager young soldiers stationed near the Mexican frontier, where romance and reality collide under the s…
Level B2HistoricalThe clammer and the submarineBeneath an ancient pine overlooking a serene harbor, a contemplative gardener wrestles with the changing seasons and the encroaching shadows of war, blending the quiet rhythms of r…
Level B2AdventureThe children of Old Park's TavernAt Old Park's Tavern, the bustling preparations for a lively political convention bring Dolly, a curious city girl, into the heart of country life, where debates, feasts, and unexp…
Level B2HistoricalThe brave little maid of GoldauAmidst the lush Swiss valley of Goldau in 1806, a young maid named Franziska tends to a cozy mountain home while dark clouds and ominous cracks on the mountain hint at a brewing na…
Level B2AdventureThe black barqueA battle-hardened sailor, freshly ashore in Havre, navigates a world of restless veterans and shifting loyalties after war’s end, seeking a new ship and a fresh start amid simmerin…
Level B2MysteryThe Zeppelin Destroyer: Being Some Chapters of Secret HistoryAmidst the dangers of early aviation and World War I’s aerial battles, a determined young pilot and his fellow airmen strive to outmatch the enemy’s deadly Zeppelins using daring e…
Level B2AdventureThe Yukon Trail: A Tale of the NorthAs the midnight sun fades over the Yukon, a newcomer observes the rigid social divides of a frontier mining town where rough prospectors clash with a self-styled elite.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Wild-FowlersFour adventurous friends spend a crisp October by the Chesapeake Bay, eager to hunt the famed canvas-back ducks while navigating the challenges posed by poachers wielding massive d…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Voyageurs: Boy Hunters in the NorthEmbark on a thrilling journey through the vast, untamed fur countries of North America, where wild landscapes, scarce settlements, and elusive creatures challenge two young adventu…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Vigilantes: A Story of California Life in the FiftiesWhen a quick-thinking young rigger warns a train of a burning bridge, he earns a free ride and a chance to start fresh in Boston, navigating the bustling world of 1850s labor and o…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Trailers: A Story of Early KentuckyA strong-willed fifteen-year-old leads his family and neighbors into the wild, untamed forests of early Kentucky, where adventure, danger, and the secrets of the wilderness await u…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Sharpshooter at AntietamTwo young Union sharpshooters navigate camp life and foraging during the tense days leading to the pivotal Battle of Antietam, encountering the diverse and complex world of the Civ…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Ranchers; Or, Fighting the SiouxA young hunter returns to his South Dakota ranch amid growing unrest among the Sioux, facing the looming threat of attack as tensions rise in the turbulent frontier.
Level B2AdventureThe Young RajahA young man of mysterious heritage travels to India aboard the Glamorgan Castle, where social tensions and romantic intrigue unfold among the passengers.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Musician; Or, Fighting His WayLeft penniless after his father's death, young Philip Gray faces the harsh prospect of the poorhouse but vows to fight his way up through hard work and his talent for music.