Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
661 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 The Mesmerist's Victim, The Merry Men, and Other Tales and Fables and The Mercy of the Lord. 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.
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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…
Level B2AdventureTales out of schoolJourney alongside Colonel Myles as he embarks on thrilling hunts across Africa, encountering wild beasts and unfamiliar landscapes, from riding native bulls to facing charging rhin…
Level B2HistoricalTales of Troy: Ulysses, the Sacker of CitiesJourney to the rugged island of Ithaca and follow the young, clever Ulysses as he grows into a fearless warrior and master strategist amidst gods, wild beasts, and legendary battle…
Level B2RomanceTales of King Arthur and the Round Table, Adapted from the Book of RomanceIn a turbulent Britain without a king, a mysterious sword embedded in stone challenges knights to prove their right to rule.
Level B2HistoricalTaking the Bastile; Or, Pitou the Peasant: A Historical Story of the Great French RevolutionAmid the harsh winter of revolutionary France, a mysterious traveler arrives at a secluded village, bearing a newborn and seeking Madeline Pitou.
Level B2HistoricalSyd Belton: The Boy Who Would Not Go to SeaA spirited boy from a proud naval family shocks his stern uncles by refusing the sea life expected of him, revealing his surprising ambition to become a doctor instead.
Level B2RomanceSunshine and shadow, or, Paul Burton's surpriseIn a serene New England farm, Nettie Spaulding, a once-wealthy city girl, faces sorrow and change as she finds refuge with kind relatives by the lake, seeking hope and happiness am…
Level B2AdventureStruggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's LuckIn a small village, a determined boy with humble means challenges the privileged son of a wealthy banker to a daring skating race for a prized watch, setting the stage for a story…
Level B2HistoricalStrange stories of the Civil WarExperience the Civil War through the eyes of a young boy in Pittsburgh, witnessing the stirring calls to arms, the clash of North and South, and personal tales of heroism and patri…
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great Valley: The Adventures of a Boy PioneerA boy pioneer in 1816 Ohio navigates the wilderness on a flatboat, seeking fortune and safety amidst the untamed frontier.
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great River: The Adventures of a Boy ExplorerA spirited boy explorer joins daring French adventurers navigating the mysterious Great River, encountering wild tribes, untamed landscapes, and strange legends that shape the dest…
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of Colonial DaysJourney through early colonial America where alliances with Native American leaders, daring escapes, and tense confrontations shape a vivid panorama of survival and conflict, revea…
Level B2HistoricalStory of AeneasEmbark on the epic journey of Aeneas as he flees the fall of Troy, braves divine challenges, and seeks a new homeland, weaving through love, war, and prophecy in a legend that shap…
Level B2RomanceStories of the RailroadAmidst the grit and grind of 1863 railroad life, a young fireman finds family and hope with the seasoned engineer James Dillon and his wife, who secretly plans a Christmas gift tha…
Level B2HistoricalStories of Heroic Deeds for Boys and Girls: Historical Series - Book IIDiscover timeless tales of gods, mortals, and moral lessons that bring history to life—where divine encounters spark justice, music contests reveal pride, and kindness shines amid…
Level B2HistoricalStories of Animal SagacityDiscover the cleverness of animals as they use reason and perseverance to solve problems, from a cat who learns to knock on a door to gain entry, to other tales revealing surprisin…
Level B2HistoricalStories from VirgilAmid the gods' favor protecting Troy, a cunning Greek plot unfolds as a giant wooden horse conceals warriors inside, sparking a deadly dilemma for the city’s defenders torn between…
Level B2HistoricalStories About IndiansExplore vivid tales of Native American life, from the construction of wigwams and warrior bravery to acts of gratitude and clever stratagems, revealing the rich culture and history…
Level B2HistoricalStep by Step; Or, Tidy's Way to FreedomA powerful narrative unfolds the brutal reality of slavery, revealing its crushing impact on body, mind, and soul while exploring the hope for freedom and true liberty amid a natio…
Level B2AdventureStand By The UnionA young lieutenant on the eve of deployment faces mysterious nighttime visitors amid the tense backdrop of the Civil War.
Level B2AdventureStan Lynn: A Boy's Adventures in ChinaA boy recently returned to his family’s vast warehouse in China must quickly learn to wield a sword and pistol when river pirates attempt a daring nighttime break-in, thrusting him…
Level B2AdventureSt. George for EnglandIn a stormy night of medieval England, a weary woman seeks refuge in a humble village, setting the stage for a tale of courage and chivalry as England’s martial spirit rises to leg…
Level B2MysterySpies of the Kaiser: Plotting the Downfall of EnglandEngland faces a covert threat as thousands of German spies infiltrate its cities, gathering secrets about military defenses and vital resources.
Level B2AdventureSpears of destinyIn a springtime chase through Crowden Wood, a young Norman and a Saxon girl hunt a cunning fox, leading to a tense encounter that sets the stage for a daring adventure amidst polit…
Level B2HistoricalSouthern Soldier StoriesExperience the tense strategies and vivid realities of Civil War battles as soldiers navigate skirmishes, defensive lines, and the crucial fight to control supply routes in this gr…
Level B2HistoricalSongs of Heroic DaysAmid the turmoil of war, powerful poems honor heroes like King Albert of Belgium and reflect on the devastation of battle, blending patriotism with poignant reflections on courage,…
Level B2HistoricalSome great American booksDiscover a thoughtful guide to America's literary heritage, offering a curated course through essential American books paired with insightful advice on how to read deeply and appre…
Level B2HistoricalSoldiers of the QueenChildren’s games of tin soldiers spark dreams of real battlefields as young Valentine longs to join the army, set against a cozy English home where the promise of peace lingers.
Level B2HistoricalSnow on the headlightTensions rise as railroad workers unite to challenge unfair wages and management’s stubbornness, igniting a fierce struggle between labor and leadership.
Level B2AdventureSnow Shoes and Canoes: Or, The Early Days of a Fur-Trader in the Hudson Bay TerritoryBraving harsh wilderness and lurking dangers, a small fur-trading party embarks on a perilous journey across the North-West Territory to deliver vital winter supplies.
Level B2AdventureSilver RagsWhen a city-bred girl falls overboard in a remote Maine pond, a brave youth plunges in to save her, sparking an adventurous summer among woods, wildlife, and heartfelt friendships…
Level B2HistoricalSi Klegg, Book 5: The Deacon's Adventures at Chattanooga in Caring for the BoysIn the aftermath of battle, the resourceful Deacon navigates the challenges of caring for wounded soldiers Si Klegg and Shorty in Chattanooga, using cunning and courage to provide…
Level B2HistoricalSi Klegg, Book 4: Experiences of Si and Shorty on the Great Tullahoma CampaignAmid the relentless rain and looming battle, soldiers of the 200th Indiana prepare to engage the Confederate forces entrenched in Shelbyville during the intense Tullahoma Campaign,…
Level B2AdventureSi Klegg, Book 3: Si and Shorty Meet Mr. Rosenbaum, the Spy, Who Relates His AdventuresTwo soldiers on picket duty share rustic campfire cooking and unexpected hospitality, while encountering Mr.
Level B2AdventureShoulder to shoulderAmid the stirring Highland clans and the shadow of Napoleon’s rise, a young soldier’s journey unfolds through battles, betrayals, and daring escapes—where loyalty and courage are t…
Level B2HistoricalShot With CrimsonAs an explosion rocks a country club near the Reynolds Works, tensions flare amid suspicion and patriotism during wartime.
Level B2AdventureShelled by an Unseen FoeThree young cadets wrestle with duty, family, and war as one plans a daring return to England amid global conflict, while another faces a personal crisis that could change everythi…
Level B2HistoricalShaggycoat: The Biography of a BeaverFollow the life of a beaver whose industrious nature shapes forests and meadows, intertwining with Native American traditions and the relentless expansion of the fur trade that fue…
Level B2AdventureSettlers and Scouts: A Tale of the African HighlandsA father and son embark on a daring journey to the untamed highlands of British East Africa, seeking new beginnings amid wild landscapes, exotic wildlife, and the challenges of pio…
Level B2AdventureSeth Jones; or, The Captives of the FrontierIn the untamed wilderness of early America, a rugged woodman’s peaceful life is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious stranger from New Hampshire.
Level B2HistoricalSentimental Tommy: The Story of His BoyhoodIn a gritty London stairwell, young Tommy navigates childhood with a vivid imagination and a guarded spirit shaped by loss and hardship.
Level B2HistoricalSentimental Education; Or, The History of a Young Man. Volume 1An idealistic young graduate embarks on a river journey, dreaming of art, passion, and a prosperous future, while encountering a worldly man who offers cynical advice on life and l…
Level B2HistoricalSchoolgirl rivalsAn Australian girl ventures into the unfamiliar world of an English boarding school, where spirited classmates and fierce competitions test her courage and resolve.