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 B2HistoricalHans Brinker; Or, The Silver SkatesIn a vivid journey through 19th-century Holland, young Hans Brinker and his sister Gretel navigate everyday life, Dutch traditions, and the challenges of a plucky little country th…
Level B2HistoricalHanover; Or The Persecution of the Lowly: A Story of the Wilmington Massacre.Tensions escalate in Wilmington as organized white mobs forcibly expel Black residents and political opponents, enforcing a brutal new order.
Level B2HistoricalGuy FalconerIn a world of debts and family secrets, a critical stroke of the pen sets the fate of the Old Moat House and its inhabitants in motion.
Level B2HistoricalGunsight Pass: How Oil Came to the Cattle Country and Brought a New WestIn a rugged, sun-scorched frontier where survival demands toughness, young David Sanders returns to the cattle country with his remarkable pinto, sparking rivalry and revealing the…
Level B2AdventureGulf and Glacier; or, The Percivals in AlaskaA lively group of young travelers embarks on a thrilling summer expedition from Boston to Alaska, exploring rugged landscapes and forging new friendships aboard a cross-continental…
Level B2HistoricalGreyfriars BobbyIn the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, a small Skye terrier named Bobby navigates the bustling, historic Grassmarket, drawn by the daily boom of the time-gun and the rhythms of city li…
Level B2HistoricalGrapes of wrathAmid the brutal realities of World War I, a battle-hardened officer draws from his daring front-line experiences to reveal the grit, danger, and determination of soldiers and civil…
Level B2HistoricalGraham of ClaverhouseAmid the chaos of war and swirling loyalties, two young Scottish officers forge destinies intertwined by fate and conflict.
Level B2AdventureGrace Harlowe with the American Army on the RhineAmid the tense aftermath of war, Grace Harlowe navigates the uneasy march of the American Third Army to the Rhine, confronting strict superiors, uneasy alliances, and the lurking t…
Level B2HistoricalGood Old AnnaAs war breaks out between England and Germany, Mrs.
Level B2HistoricalGolden Deeds: Stories from HistoryBrave heroes stand against overwhelming odds to protect their cities and loved ones, from a lone Roman defending a vital bridge to a Swiss archer defying a tyrant’s cruel test.
Level B2AdventureGold Seekers of '49In 1849, Charley Adams and his father embark on a perilous journey across the Isthmus of Panama to California’s gold fields, facing adventure, fortune, and hardship amid the bustli…
Level B2HistoricalGoing WestA spirited broker with a family legacy of soldiers faces the call to war, torn between his burgeoning career, a controversial engagement, and the duty ingrained in generations befo…
Level B2HistoricalGoethe and Schiller: An Historical RomanceIn the quiet streets of Mannheim, a restless poet defies the cold and the watchful night, caught between harsh reality and the fiery passion of creation.
Level B2HistoricalGodfrey Marten, UndergraduateAn earnest young man arrives at Oxford, armed with a modest allowance and high hopes, only to face the humbling realities of college life, social awkwardness, and the challenge of…
Level B2AdventureGil the Gunner: The Youngest Officer in the EastA hot-headed cad clashes with classmates and authority at a strict military academy, struggling with isolation and a fierce temper as he strives to prove himself worthy of command.
Level B2HistoricalGeoffrey the LollardIn a shadowed forest, secret followers of a forbidden faith gather underground, risking all for their beliefs.
Level B2HistoricalGabriel and the Hour BookIn a quiet medieval abbey, young Gabriel serves as a color grinder for monks who painstakingly illuminate sacred manuscripts by hand.
Level B2HistoricalGabriel Tolliver: A Story of ReconstructionA man returns to Shady Dale, his childhood home, inviting his skeptical wife to discover its true spirit and the enduring bonds of community during Reconstruction.
Level B2AdventureFrom Powder Monkey to Admiral: A Story of Naval AdventureA young boy's daring journey unfolds amidst the chaos of naval warfare, where courage and duty guide him from humble beginnings toward the highest ranks of the British Navy.
Level B2AdventureFrom Farm to Fortune; or, Nat Nason's Strange ExperienceA determined country boy escapes a harsh farm life and ventures to the city, only to face deception and hardship as he strives to earn success and prove his worth against the odds.
Level B2HistoricalFriends, though divided: A Tale of the Civil WarTwo friends stand divided on the eve of England’s Civil War, caught between loyalty to king and Parliament as the nation teeters toward conflict and upheaval.
Level B2AdventureFrank on the Lower MississippiAmid the fierce battles along the Mississippi, a young Union officer named Frank navigates war-torn cities, tense debates, and the challenges of naval life, all while witnessing th…
Level B2AdventureFrank on a Gun-BoatAs the Civil War rages, young Frank defies his fears and family doubts to enlist in the Navy, eager to fight for the Union and prove his courage aboard a gun-boat where every momen…
Level B2HistoricalFrank and Fearless; or, The Fortunes of Jasper KentAt a boarding school ruled by a ruthless bully, new student Jasper Kent dares to stand up for the smaller boys, challenging tyranny with courage and quick wit.
Level B2AdventureFrank Before Vicksburg: The Gun-Boat SeriesAfter harrowing adventures and a daring escape, young Frank Nelson returns home to find comfort shadowed by sorrow and change.
Level B2HistoricalFour girls of forty years agoFour motherless sisters face life’s challenges in a gloomy old house near Washington Square, struggling with their father’s absence in China, the loss of their loyal nurse Lizzie,…
Level B2AdventureFoster's Letter of Marque: A Tale of Old Sydney: 1901In 1802 Sydney Harbour, Captain Foster navigates the challenges of duty and desire as he awaits a crucial meeting while caught in the throes of a passionate romance with Dorothy Gi…
Level B2AdventureForest and Frontiers; Or, Adventures Among the IndiansEmbark on a daring journey through the African interior, where a fearless hunter confronts majestic lions and wild beasts in thrilling, close-quarters battles.
Level B2AdventureFor the freedom of the seasCaught in the stillness of an autumn Atlantic, a seasoned captain and his son navigate the challenges of a slow journey home on their aging schooner, where patience and perseveranc…
Level B2HistoricalFor the Sake of the SchoolSeventeen schoolgirls embark on a lively train journey to The Woodlands, where friendships bloom and surprises await—like the arrival of a mysterious new student from New Zealand.
Level B2AdventureFor the Liberty of TexasOn the Texas frontier, young hunters face the dangers of wild terrain, hostile Comanche raids, and a fight for freedom as settlers strive to secure their land and liberty against a…
Level B2HistoricalFor The Honor Of France: 1891An old soldier with a scarred past and his devoted wife share memories and tobacco aboard a train through the Rhône valley, revealing tales of honor, war, and family ties in late 1…
Level B2AdventureFor Name and Fame; Or, Through Afghan PassesAmidst the rugged terrain and tribal alliances of Afghanistan, a British officer confronts suspicion and theft near his estate, unraveling tensions between local gypsies and imperi…
Level B2AdventureFootprints in the ForestCaptured by Sauk Indians, two young friends embark on a perilous quest through the wilderness to rescue a kidnapped companion, guided by the brave Shawanoe warrior Deerfoot and the…
Level B2FantasyFive Children and ItFive children move to a country house surrounded by woods and wild gardens, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Level B2AdventureFirst in the Field: A Story of New South WalesA tense clash unfolds among schoolboys over a fragile thrush's nest, revealing rivalries, secrets, and the harsh judgments tied to family reputations in the rugged backdrop of New…
Level B2AdventureFire Cloud; Or, The Mysterious Cave. A Story of Indians and Pirates.Amid whispers of a hidden cave filled with untold treasures, a daring captain brings aboard the kidnapped daughter of a powerful man, igniting tension and danger among sailors caug…
Level B2HistoricalFighting with French: A Tale of the New ArmyAs young men train in the art of jujutsu and prepare to enlist, a new army faces the looming threat of war.
Level B2AdventureFighting the WhalesA young boy faces hunger and despair in a struggling seaport town, but a fateful encounter sets him on a perilous journey into the brutal world of whale hunting, where man battles…
Level B2AdventureFighting in FranceTwo American brothers join the French army during World War I, facing the brutal reality of trench warfare and aerial combat as they prepare for a decisive attack in the war-torn p…
Level B2AdventureFighting in Cuban watersAmid the fiery battles of the Spanish-American War, a young sailor joins the flagship Brooklyn, navigating blockades and naval clashes that will test his courage and resolve.
Level B2AdventureFighting for the RightAmid the Civil War's turmoil, a young naval officer wounded in battle wrestles with duty and recovery, embodying the quiet heroism of those who fight not just on the battlefield bu…
Level B2AdventureFighting King GeorgeAs tensions ignite in 1775 Charleston, young Tom Deering and his mighty companion Cole navigate the turbulent waters of revolution and personal vengeance against the brutal British…
Level B2MysteryFighting Byng: A Novel of Mystery, Intrigue and AdventureIn the wild Georgia turpentine woods, the fiery Howard Byng and his runaway mule collide with a surveying crew, sparking tensions and revealing a fierce spirit ready to face any ch…
Level B2MysteryFast as the Wind: A NovelA wealthy sportsman navigates a tangled web of loyalty, rivalry, and love amid the scenic beauty of Torquay and the looming shadows of family secrets.
Level B2RomanceFar to seekA young boy grows up between two cultures, raised by a remarkable mother who defies prejudice with love and courage.
Level B2AdventureFar Past the FrontierIn a frontier town shaken by a violent attack, two determined boys race against time to uncover the truth behind a deadly assault and prepare for their daring westward journey.