Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
1,135 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 Zigzag Journeys in Northern Lands;: The Rhine to the Arctic; A Summer Trip of the Zigzag Club Through Holland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, Yule-Tide Yarns and Youth. 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.
- 1,135
- books
Level B2AdventureThe Brighton Boys in the TrenchesAs war calls many Brighton Academy boys to daring roles from the skies to the seas, seventeen-year-old Herbert Whitcomb faces the harsh realities of loss and enlistment, determined…
Level B2HistoricalThe Bride of Mission San José: A Tale of Early CaliforniaIn drought-stricken Alta California, political intrigue and romance intertwine as a soldier serenades a capricious señorita while leaders of the Mission San José navigate threats b…
Level B2AdventureThe Boys of Crawford's Basin: The Story of a Mountain Ranch in the Early Days of ColoradoIn the rugged Colorado mountains of the 1870s, two hardworking young ranchers face off against Big Reuben, a notorious grizzly bear terrorizing their community.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy's Book of HeroesA rebellious Anglo-Saxon youth named Hereward is outlawed and embarks on thrilling adventures across medieval England and beyond.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Volunteers with the French AirmenAmid the chaos of war-torn Belgium, two determined boys navigate battles, capture, and escape as they dream of joining the daring French airmen.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Volunteers with the British ArtilleryTwo American boys, brave and resolute, navigate the harrowing battlefronts of World War I—from daring escapes in Belgium to thrilling flights over Verdun—before joining the British…
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Travellers on the Congo: Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey with Henry M. Stanley "Through the Dark Continent"Two adventurous youths join the legendary explorer Henry M.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Travellers in The Russian Empire: Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey in European and Asiatic Russia, with Accounts of a Tour across Siberia, Voyages on the Amoor, Volga, and Other Rivers, a Visit to Central Asia, Travels among the Exiles, and a Historical Sketch of the Empire from Its Foundation to the Present TimeTwo youths embark on an extraordinary journey through the vast Russian Empire, exploring Siberia, Central Asia, and the majestic rivers that shape this diverse land, uncovering its…
Level B2HistoricalThe Boy Spies with the Regulators: The Story of How the Boys Assisted the Carolina Patriots to Drive the British from That StateIn colonial North Carolina, teenage boys join the Regulators to challenge corrupt officials and oppressive taxes as tensions rise before the American Revolution.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Spies of Philadelphia: The Story of How the Young Spies Helped the Continental Army at Valley ForgeThree young boys in British-occupied Philadelphia navigate danger and duty as they secretly gather intelligence to aid the Continental Army, witnessing the stark contrasts of war a…
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Settlers: A Story of Early Times in KansasThree boys and two men leave Illinois to settle the untamed Kansas frontier, inspired by tales of Indian wars and early pioneers.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Scouts to the RescueTrapped in a shell crater near enemy lines, a young scout fights to save a wounded lieutenant amidst the relentless horrors of war.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Scouts on the TrailTwo boys, one French and one American-French, plan an adventurous holiday joining the Boy Scouts in France, forging friendship amid hopes and tensions of a looming war.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Scouts in Front of Warsaw; Or, In the Wake of WarIn the devastated city of Warsaw, a group of brave youths navigate the chaos left by war and occupation, embodying fierce loyalty amid ruins and danger.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Scouts Under Fire in MexicoFour Boy Scouts set sail against a brewing storm and rebel gunfire near the Mexican border, caught between adventure and danger.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Scout pathfindersTwo Boy Scouts vanish mysteriously, sparking a tense search led by General Pershing.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Land Boomer; Or, Dick Arbuckle's Adventures in OklahomaA determined sixteen-year-old joins the restless boomers eager to claim Oklahoma's disputed lands before the official opening.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy HuntersVenture up the mighty Mississippi to a remote French village and step inside the rugged home of a hunter-naturalist, where wild adventures and the mysteries of the western prairies…
Level B2AdventureThe Boy Aviators with the Air Raiders: A Story of the Great World WarThree inventive boys near the WWI front line face espionage and danger as they prepare their advanced seaplane for a daring mission, caught between secret spies and the urgent dema…
Level B2RomanceThe Bow of Orange Ribbon: A Romance of New YorkIn 18th-century New York, amid blossoming gardens and rising trade, Joris Van Heemskirk navigates a world of political ambition and deep-rooted family pride, where love and legacy…
Level B2AdventureThe Border Watch: A Story of the Great Chief's Last StandTwo boys and their friends navigate the perilous frontier of early Kentucky, caught between expanding settlements and fierce Native American resistance.
Level B2MysteryThe Border Spy; or, The Beautiful Captive of the Rebel Camp: A Story of the WarIn the midst of a fierce war, a distrustful spy navigates a rugged borderland where loyalty is uncertain and every decision could mean life or death.
Level B2RomanceThe Border Riflemen; or, The Forest Fiend. A Romance of the Black-Hawk UprisingIn a rugged frontier cabin framed by wild beauty, a young woman faces the dark obsession of a dangerous suitor, sparking a tense struggle for her freedom and safety amid the loomin…
Level B2AdventureThe Border Boys Across the FrontierIn the blistering desert, a group of young adventurers and a quirky professor set out to uncover the mysteries of the Haunted Mesa, braving harsh landscapes, dwindling water, and u…
Level B2AdventureThe Blue Balloon: A Tale of the Shenandoah ValleyAmid the turmoil of the Civil War in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, young Ephraim “Old Grizzly” Sykes, a humble yet brilliant mechanic, dreams of rising above his station through in…
Level B2AdventureThe Blockade RunnersAn enigmatic new steamship, the Dolphin, launches amid Glasgow’s bustling docks, stirring curiosity with its mysterious purpose tied to the raging American Civil War.
Level B2HistoricalThe Black Tor: A Tale of the Reign of James the FirstA fierce, ragtag band of armed men arrives unexpectedly at a remote castle, challenging the young Ralph Darley who guards the way.
Level B2HistoricalThe Billow and the RockIn a turbulent Scotland where lawlessness reigns and powerful lords impose their will, Lady Carse faces a desperate struggle to reclaim her children from a rigid and dangerous soci…
Level B2AdventureThe Big Five Motorcycle Boys on the Battle Line; Or, With the Allies in FranceAmid the chaos of war-torn Belgium, five daring motorcycle boys navigate danger and adventure as they join the Allies on the battle line, racing through cities under siege and witn…
Level B2AdventureThe Big Brother: A Story of Indian WarAmid the brutal Creek Indian War of 1813, settlers fortify stockades as relentless attacks threaten their survival.
Level B2AdventureThe Belt of Seven Totems: A Story of MassasoitIn a time when peace among Native tribes is fragile, Longfeather, a wise young sachem, journeys across New England forging alliances and uncovering mysteries—among them a fiery ome…
Level B2AdventureThe Belgians to the FrontIn the tense days before war, two Belgian Boy Scouts uncover suspicious activity hinting at a German invasion.
Level B2AdventureThe Battle and the BreezeA fearless sailor with a charmed life, Bill Bowls embarks on daring voyages, braving storms, tyrannical captains, and nautical disasters.
Level B2HistoricalThe Babes in the Basket; or, Daph and Her ChargeIn a moonlit southern island room, Daph, a determined woman with a secret mission, stealthily prepares to carry away two sleeping children hidden in a basket—setting the stage for…
Level B2AdventureThe Armed Ship America; Or, When We Sailed from SalemTwo teenage lads join the privateer ship America as it sets sail from Salem during the War of 1812, embarking on a daring cruise to challenge British forces and claim fortune on th…
Level B2AdventureThe Ark of 1803: A Story of Louisiana Purchase TimesIn 1803, a spirited group of youths in Fish Creek prepare to embark on a daring river journey aboard a newly built ark bound for New Orleans, navigating friendships, rivalries, and…
Level B2HistoricalThe ApologySocrates faces trial with unwavering conviction, defending a life spent in pursuit of justice and truth while embracing death as preferable to a decline into senility.
Level B2HistoricalThe Allis Family; or, Scenes of Western LifeA determined family carves a life on the vast, untamed prairie, transforming wild land into a home while facing the hardships of frontier living.
Level B2AdventureThe Adventures of a Three-Guinea WatchAn adventurous watch recounts its early days, from being carefully crafted and regulated to the thrilling moment it’s chosen and taken into the wider world.
Level B2HistoricalThe Adventures of a FreshmanA green freshman faces the intimidating traditions and hazing rituals of college life, standing his ground against the sophomores who challenge his place on campus.
Level B2AdventureThe Adventures of Dick Trevanion: A Story of Eighteen Hundred and FourIn 1804, young Dick Trevanion and his companion Sam set out from their coastal village for a night of fishing, hoping to catch salmon bass despite unusual silence beneath the surfa…
Level B2AdventureThe Adventures of AkbarAmidst a desperate flight from enemies, baby Prince Akbar begins his journey to greatness, guarded by loyal companions and royal hopes.
Level B2HistoricalThe Admiral's DaughterIn the vibrant spring of the West Country, a young man named Roger wrestles with unseen burdens as the world around him blooms with life and hope.
Level B2AdventureThe Academy Boys in CampA mysterious prank shatters the calm at Massillon Academy, sparking suspicion and intrigue among the boys.
Level B2HistoricalThat scholarship boyAt Torrington's school, the arrival of Horace Howard, a mysterious scholarship boy from a humble background, stirs rivalry and curiosity among students determined to uphold their s…
Level B2HistoricalThat EurasianA gripping autobiography reveals the struggles and societal injustices faced by the Eurasian offspring of European and Asian heritage in British India, exposing dark abuses and cul…
Level B2AdventureTerry's Trials and TriumphsIn the gritty streets of Halifax, young Terry fights to protect his friends and escape a harsh life shadowed by poverty and a troubled family.
Level B2HistoricalTattered Tom; or, The Story of a Street ArabA sharp-witted street urchin known as Tattered Tom defies convention and social snobbery in the bustling streets of New York, navigating mud, insults, and survival with boldness an…