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 B2RomanceFanny Campbell, The Female Pirate Captain: A Tale of The RevolutionAmid the rugged shores of Revolutionary Massachusetts, a fearless woman defies tradition to command a pirate ship, navigating love, jealousy, and war.
Level B2AdventureFamous Islands and Memorable VoyagesIn 1431, a Venetian trading ship embarks on a perilous voyage from the bustling port of Venice to the treacherous northern seas.
Level B2HistoricalFame and Fortune; or, The Progress of Richard HunterTwo determined boys escape their harsh street lives by securing a modest boarding-room and honest work, striving to rise above poverty through hard study, courage, and unexpected k…
Level B2AdventureFalling in with Fortune; Or, The Experiences of a Young SecretaryA determined young man, recently dismissed from his job, becomes the private secretary to a wealthy lady and faces challenges from her unscrupulous nephew.
Level B2HistoricalFacts you should know about the classicsExplore the origins and significance of literary masterpieces from ancient civilizations to Greece, uncovering the lives, themes, and lasting impact of the greatest writers over th…
Level B2AdventureFacing the German FoeTwo Boy Scouts, Harry and Dick, discuss the growing threat of war with Germany and how their training prepares them for more than just adventure.
Level B2HistoricalExtracts from Adam's Diary, translated from the original ms.Discover the humorous and curious thoughts of the first man as he navigates life in the Garden of Eden, bewildered by a new companion who names everything and disrupts his solitude…
Level B2HistoricalEve's Diary, Part 1A newly created being explores a breathtaking, imperfect world, marveling at stars, moons, and strange creatures, while trying to make sense of her place in this grand experiment c…
Level B2HistoricalEve's Diary, CompleteA newly awakened Eve records her first days in a fresh, unfinished world filled with wonder—from lost moons to elusive stars—and her curious, cautious observations of a strange cre…
Level B2AdventureErskine Dale—PioneerIn a remote wilderness fort, hunters and settlers brace against the dangers of the untamed frontier, where every dawn brings threats from both nature and lurking enemies.
Level B2HistoricalEric, a waifIn a small village on the edge of Epping Forest, young Eric Hunter faces suspicion and isolation after his mother's mysterious death, as whispers of witchcraft and outsider fears s…
Level B2HistoricalEnglish Literature for Boys and GirlsExplore the rich evolution of storytelling, from ancient fireside tales of war to the refined literature shaped by monks and minstrels, revealing how stories reflect the changing l…
Level B2HistoricalEmily of New MoonIn a secluded house surrounded by birch trees, young Emily finds solace in nature, books, and her loyal pets as she navigates loneliness and mysterious moments called "the flash.
Level B2AdventureElsie's Young Folks in Peace and WarSet sail along the coast of Maine with Elsie and her family, uncovering thrilling tales of early American history, Revolutionary battles, and daring sea adventures that shaped a yo…
Level B2HistoricalElsie's Vacation and After EventsA family faces the bittersweet challenge of separation as young Maxie leaves home, while his sisters find comfort in sharing daily life through letters.
Level B2HistoricalElsie's Journey on Inland WatersA family explores the dazzling exhibitions of a grand international fair, where young Elsie’s curiosity is sparked by a captivating painting of Joan of Arc.
Level B2HistoricalElsie's Friends at WoodburnOn a snowy Christmas Eve, friends gather at the grand Oaks estate, where family ties and festive spirits intertwine amid whispers of loss and new beginnings.
Level B2HistoricalElsie on the HudsonSet sail on the Hudson with Captain Raymond and his daughter Lucilla as they explore historic riverbanks aboard their charming yacht, the Dolphin, uncovering scenic beauty and fami…
Level B2HistoricalElsie and the RaymondsIn a bustling city, compassionate siblings Lulu and Max encounter Susan, a desperate seamstress struggling to support her sick mother in a squalid alley.
Level B2HistoricalElsie DinsmoreIn a charming old-schoolroom overlooking blooming gardens, young Elsie Dinsmore strives to master her lessons amidst playful sibling antics and strict expectations, revealing her g…
Level B2HistoricalElizabeth's CampaignAmid the upheaval of war, Sir Henry Chicksands grapples with the challenges of enforcing agricultural reforms on reluctant farmers, while his daughter Beryl fears for the delicate…
Level B2AdventureEdgar the Ready: A Tale of the Third Edward's ReignAmidst the brutal clashes of Edward III’s reign, a young warrior embarks on a perilous journey through wild lands and fierce battles, facing savage foes and daring exploits that wi…
Level B2HistoricalE. P. Roe: Reminiscences of his LifeJourney through the cherished childhood and family memories that shaped a beloved American author, exploring a picturesque valley home, playful adventures, and stories of Revolutio…
Level B2AdventureDusky Dick: or, Old Toby Castor's great campaign: A story of the last Sioux outbreakIn the tense frontier wilderness, Dusky Dick, a mysterious and skilled wood-ranger marked by a haunting burn, arrives with urgent news of a brewing Sioux uprising.
Level B2RomanceDulcibel: A Tale of Old SalemIn a Puritan village torn by disputes and strict devotion, a spirited young man encounters Dulcibel, a feisty woman whose wild horse mirrors her untamed spirit—setting the stage fo…
Level B2AdventureDreadnoughts of the Dogger: A Story of the War on the North SeaTensions rise at a coastal camp where Sea Scouts spy on naval cruisers and debate the might of the British and German fleets, just as war looms on the horizon and a mysterious pilo…
Level B2AdventureDraw Swords! In the Horse ArtilleryA young artillery officer navigates favoritism and rivalry as he embarks on a challenging new assignment with the prestigious Sixth Horse Artillery in colonial India, where discipl…
Level B2HistoricalDown the Mother LodeJourney into the heart of California’s legendary gold rush as miners, engineers, and dreamers search for the elusive Mother Lode—a vast, mysterious vein said to hold unimaginable r…
Level B2AdventureDown South; or, Yacht Adventure in FloridaEmbark on a thrilling yacht voyage through Florida’s wild waterways, where a skilled captain and his diverse crew navigate rivers, hunt alligators, and explore sunlit southern land…
Level B2HistoricalDorothy's Double. Volume 3 (of 3)Caught in a fierce mountain storm, a group of travelers faces deadly cold and exhaustion on a glacier.
Level B2MysteryDorothy's Double. Volume 1 (of 3)On a stormy night along the Thames, a secret exchange sets in motion a daring escape from a shadowy past.
Level B2AdventureDonalblane of DarienIn an age of ruthless monopolies and imperial rivalry, a determined Scotsman leads a bold venture to unlock the key to global trade by conquering the treacherous Isthmus of Darien,…
Level B2HistoricalDoctor Hathern's daughtersThree sisters navigate the turmoil of the Civil War in their Virginia home, torn between loyalty, fear, and hope.
Level B2AdventureDo and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for FortuneA determined young boy fights to keep his mother’s post office job against the powerful Squire Walsingham’s nephew, facing selfish rivals and political influence in their small tow…
Level B2AdventureDigging for Gold: Adventures in CaliforniaAn eighteen-year-old neglected youth, passionate about art but stifled by his harsh uncle’s demands, dreams of forging his own path beyond the grim expectations of work and duty in…
Level B2AdventureDigging for Gold: A Story of CaliforniaA determined sixteen-year-old boy faces hardship and neglect in a struggling household, dreaming of a better life as he confronts his stingy stepfather and contemplates the promise…
Level B2AdventureDiego Pinzon and the Fearful Voyage He Took Into the Unknown Ocean A.D. 1492In 1492 Andalusia, a daring crew led by the fearless Martin Alonzo Pinzon prepares to embark on a perilous voyage into the uncharted ocean, defying superstition and fear to chase a…
Level B2AdventureDick's Desertion: A Boy's Adventures in Canadian Forests: A Tale of the Early Settlement of OntarioA boy raised in the wild Canadian forests faces the harsh realities of pioneer life after his family’s fall from fortune, crafting a rugged existence amid untamed wilderness and fa…
Level B2AdventureDick o' the Fens: A Tale of the Great East SwampIn the wild Fenlands, young Dick Winthorpe and his friend Tom navigate a rugged landscape of fire, dogs, and mysterious hunters, where each day brings new challenges and adventures…
Level B2AdventureDick in the DesertA weary family struggles to survive as they cross the harsh Nevada desert, facing hunger, exhaustion, and the mysterious disappearance of their father while hunting.
Level B2HistoricalDiary of a PilgrimageEmbark on a witty pilgrimage to Ober-Ammergau for the famed Passion Play, blending humorous travelogue with insightful reflections on culture and adventure.
Level B2AdventureDevon Boys: A Tale of the North ShoreThree school friends return to their rugged North Devon coast hometown, where new land ownership sparks adventures and rivalries amid wild cliffs, secret histories, and the promise…
Level B2AdventureDefending the Island: A story of Bar Harbor in 1758Two families settle on rugged Mount Desert Island in 1758, forging homes behind sturdy palisades to protect against looming threats.
Level B2AdventureDecatur and SomersTwo young midshipmen embark on their first naval cruise aboard the formidable frigate United States, navigating the challenges of friendship, duty, and the perils of the sea in a t…
Level B2AdventureDeath-Dealer, the Shawnee Scourge; or The Wizard of the CliffsIn a tense frontier wilderness, a fierce scout known as the Death-Dealer relentlessly tracks Native American foes to protect settlers, driven by a grim past and unmatched survival…
Level B2FantasyDay of the DruidIn a fog-shrouded land, Gaar wrestles with restless longing and ancient legends of a sleeping beauty guarded by deadly Druids.
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin at Vera Cruz: Fighting with the U.S. Navy in MexicoA young naval officer on a quiet New York evening stumbles upon a tense confrontation between a woman and a threatening man, setting the stage for a gripping adventure filled with…
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin After the Mine Layers; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval BlowTwo destroyer commanders embark on a perilous naval mission off the Irish coast, navigating hidden mines and enemy threats in a tense World War I wartime cruise.