Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
1,039 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.
- 1,039
- books
Level B2AdventureNic Revel: A White Slave's Adventures in Alligator LandEighteen-year-old Nic Revel navigates the clash between his scholarly pursuits and his sea captain father's rugged world, set against the wild backdrop of salmon-rich rivers and lo…
Level B2HistoricalNext yearA determined group of British colonists, led by an ambitious Church of England parson, embark on a challenging journey to settle the Canadian wilderness in the early 1900s, facing…
Level B2HistoricalNelly's Silver Mine: A Story of Colorado LifeOn a cold Christmas morning, twin siblings Nelly and Rob face the challenges of illness and family care, setting the stage for a heartfelt tale of resilience and life in Colorado’s…
Level B2FantasyNed, the son of Webb: What he did.In a world where towering ironclads and modern marvels reshape battle and city life, young Ned dreams of commanding the unbeatable Kentucky and testing its might against the world’…
Level B2AdventureNed in the Block-House: A Tale of Early Days in the WestTwo boys navigate the Kentucky wilderness in 1788, facing mysterious dangers as Ned’s rifle fails to fire yet a deer falls—wounded by an unseen force.
Level B2AdventureNed Garth; Or, Made Prisoner in Africa: A Tale of the Slave TradeA young boy and his one-legged uncle spot a mysterious brig struggling against a fierce storm off the English coast, sparking a daring race to warn the coast guard and prepare for…
Level B2AdventureNavy boys to the rescueA group of young sailors on shore leave in England find themselves drawn into an unexpected adventure as they explore the countryside, encountering mysterious figures and reflectin…
Level B2AdventureNat, The Trapper and Indian-FighterA rugged trapper navigates the perilous wilderness, hunted by hostile forces as he strives to survive against relentless foes and untamed dangers lurking at every turn.
Level B2AdventureNat the Naturalist: A Boy's Adventures in the Eastern SeasAn orphaned boy finds solace in his uncle’s garden, where curiosity for nature blooms amidst family tensions.
Level B2RomanceNat Wolfe; or, The gold hunters: A romance of Pike's Peak and New YorkNat Wolfe navigates the harsh frontier, encountering a struggling emigrant family bound for Pike’s Peak amidst perilous plains and scarce water.
Level B2HistoricalNapoleon and Blücher: An Historical NovelAmid the shadow of Napoleon's tyranny, a grieving King Frederick William of Prussia wrestles with loss and impossible choices, forced to submit to his conqueror while secretly year…
Level B2HistoricalMy Young Master: A NovelIn a Kentucky farm where master and slave childhoods intertwine, a young boy is given as a birthday gift to his master’s son, forging a bond shaped by loyalty, protection, and the…
Level B2AdventureMy Sword's My Fortune: A Story of Old FranceIn a France torn by political intrigue and rebellion, a young nobleman sets out for Paris to reclaim his family’s lost honor and estate.
Level B2RomanceMy Lady of the NorthAmid the perilous backdrop of the Civil War, a young captain volunteers for a daring mission to deliver a vital message through enemy lines, risking everything to unite divided for…
Level B2HistoricalMuftiIn a quiet military camp far from the front lines, an officer’s lazy afternoon is interrupted by comrades and the looming shadow of war.
Level B2HistoricalMrs. Overtheway's RemembrancesA lonely orphan finds comfort in watching a mysterious old lady's daily ritual and clings to hope when a sailor father's long-awaited return turns to tragedy.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Level B2HistoricalMiracle Gold: A Novel (Vol. 1 of 3)Caught in a relentless summer rain and missing the last train to London, a young woman races through a dim, deserted road, desperate to return unnoticed to Eltham House.
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet MonkeyA lively monkey named Jacko, rescued from a ship's voyage, wins the heart of young Minnie with his playful antics and clever charm.
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet LambA tender bond forms between Minnie and Nannie, a South Down lamb who finds comfort and friendship in a gentle Shetland pony named Star.
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet HorseA young girl’s gentle bond with her Shetland pony, Star, unfolds amidst pastoral charm, where loyalty and affection bloom alongside tales of remarkable animal friendships.
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet DogA gentle spaniel named Tiney navigates friendship, mischief, and loyalty in a cozy household, revealing the tender bonds between a girl and her beloved dog amid summer frolics and…
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet CatA tender tale unfolds as Minnie shares a deep bond with her graceful tortoise-shell cat, Fidelle, whose loyalty and affection brighten the child's days and adventures amid the gent…
Level B2AdventureMilly's errandTwo determined brothers gather seaweed to help their bedridden mother, while a mysterious, tormented doctor battles inner demons near their storm-threatened coastal village.
Level B2HistoricalMichael Penguyne; Or, Fisher Life on the Cornish CoastA young fisherman on the rugged Cornish coast learns a life-changing secret from his father figure, setting him on a journey of identity, loyalty, and the harsh realities of the se…
Level B2HistoricalMichaelMichael, a man of quiet strength and refined taste, surprises his cousin Francis by resigning his army commission, setting the stage for a story about courage, friendship, and the…
Level B2AdventureMetipom's hostageIn the tense early days of King Philip’s War, sixteen-year-old David Lindall wakes to a mysterious red glow signaling danger nearby.
Level B2AdventureMavericksIn a sunlit mountain valley, a fierce young teacher confronts a bold rider whose playful kiss sparks a fiery clash of pride and passion.
Level B2AdventureMass' George: A Boy's Adventures in the Old SavannahA young boy embarks on a perilous journey to colonial Georgia with his father, facing wild beasts, hostile natives, and untamed wilderness, all while being cared for by devoted com…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise and the Liberty GirlsIn a small town struggling to meet its Liberty Bond quota during wartime, Mary Louise and her friends step up to prove that even the humblest girls can make a vital difference thro…
Level B2MysteryMartin of old LondonIn the smoky streets of 1666 London, fourteen-year-old Martin Leake navigates the bustling riverbank and a mysterious rendezvous that hints at hidden dangers.
Level B2AdventureMarion's Faith.Two cavalry officers navigate duty and family ties on the Western frontier, where past loves and present loyalties collide against the backdrop of rugged prairie life.
Level B2HistoricalMarie Antoinette and Her SonAmidst the grandeur of Versailles and the cheers of Paris, a radiant queen presents her children to the nation, embodying hope and maternal pride.
Level B2AdventureMarcy, the RefugeeAmid Civil War turmoil, Marcy Gray, a loyal North Carolina boy, risks dangerous blockades and rebel foes to support the Union cause, navigating secret alliances and perilous waters…
Level B2AdventureMarcy the Blockade RunnerA young pilot caught between loyalty and suspicion navigates dangerous waters as secret enemies threaten his family and his cause during a turbulent time.
Level B2AdventureMarcus: the Young CenturionIn the sun-drenched Roman villa, young Marcus, son of a famed senator, awakens from a heat-induced nap to the sounds of mischief in the vineyard—setting the stage for an adventurou…
Level B2AdventureMarching on Niagara; Or, The Soldier Boys of the Old FrontierAmidst the turmoil of French and Indian hostilities, young frontiersmen David and Henry Morris navigate the dangers of a contested wilderness, joining forces with colonial leaders…
Level B2AdventureMaori and Settler: A Story of The New Zealand WarIn the midst of the New Zealand Wars, young Wilfrid Renshaw faces upheaval and conflict as settlers and Maori tribes clash over land, law, and survival.
Level B2HistoricalMaid SallyAn overworked girl named Sally escapes her harsh reality through enchanting fairy tales and fleeting dreams of a magical place.
Level B2HistoricalMadge Morton's SecretIn a sunlit Virginia orchard, Madge Morton escapes into her book, oblivious to visitors and urgent messages, until the promise of a chance encounter sends her racing against time t…