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 B2AdventureCadet Days: A Story of West PointAn adventurous young frontier boy, raised among Native tribes and rugged soldiers, dreams of earning a coveted appointment to West Point despite fierce competition and his unconven…
Level B2AdventureBy Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti WarAmid schoolyard cricket matches and the keen eyes of a nature lover, a young boy's adventure begins to unfold, blending youthful sportsmanship with the challenges and unexpected tr…
Level B2AdventureBy Right of Conquest; Or, With Cortez in MexicoA daring English captain and his son navigate the perilous seas in the early 1500s, caught between emerging trade ambitions and the mighty Spanish conquest of Mexico.
Level B2AdventureBy Pike and Dyke: a Tale of the Rise of the Dutch RepublicIn a world torn by religious persecution and war, a young hero grows amidst the fierce struggle of the Dutch people for freedom and faith against the mighty Spanish empire, where c…
Level B2AdventureBy Conduct and Courage: A Story of the Days of NelsonAn orphaned boy with a mysterious past finds refuge with a kind fisherman in a bleak village, where childhood innocence clashes with harsh realities, setting the stage for a tale o…
Level B2AdventureBuffalo Bill, the border kingExperience the thrilling exploits of Buffalo Bill, a legendary scout and cowboy navigating the dangers of the Wild West, from deadly border conflicts to daring buffalo hunts and en…
Level B2AdventureBuffalo Bill's boy buglerIn a rugged Western town torn by fierce cattlemen-sheepmen conflicts, a notorious outlaw known as Red Dick faces trial amid rising tensions and divided loyalties.
Level B2AdventureBuffalo Bill's best betIn the rugged West, a daring gambler stakes everything—his life, his diamonds, and his wits—amid tense campfires and wild plains, where danger and high stakes collide.
Level B2AdventureBuffalo Bill and the Overland Trail: Being the story of how boy and man worked hard and played hard to blaze the white trail, by wagon train, stage coach and pony express, across the great plains and the mountains beyond, that the American republic might expand and flourishFollow the daring adventures of a boy who grows into the legendary Buffalo Bill, braving the wild plains, Indian battles, and treacherous trails to open the American West by wagon,…
Level B2AdventureBuffalo Bill among the SiouxAmid rising tensions and looming war between settlers and Sioux tribes, a daring scout races across dangerous Kansas territory carrying vital military dispatches.
Level B2AdventureBrown of Moukden: A Story of the Russo-Japanese WarAmid the vibrant streets of Moukden during the Russo-Japanese War, Ivan Brown navigates a world of clashing cultures, military tension, and personal adventure.
Level B2HistoricalBrothers: The True History of a Fight Against OddsIn a grand house brimming with secrets and society’s expectations, two brothers navigate their contrasting paths through love, honor, and adversity.
Level B2AdventureBrothers of Peril: A Story of old NewfoundlandAmid the harsh wilderness of old Newfoundland, rival fishermen, merchants, and native tribes vie for control of the lucrative fishing grounds, where greed and survival collide in a…
Level B2HistoricalBrother Against Brother; or, The Tompkins Mystery.: A Story of the Great American Rebellion.Amid thunderous skies and rugged Virginia landscapes, a weary planter named George Tompkins rides a stagecoach haunted by a mysterious, urgent command to search—setting the stage f…
Level B2HistoricalBristol Bells: A Story of the Eighteenth CenturyIn 18th-century Bristol, spirited Bryda yearns to escape her stifling farm life and seize new opportunities, while confronting family tensions and the harsh realities of rural exis…
Level B2AdventureBrave Tom; Or, The Battle That WonIn a quiet Pennsylvania village, young Tom Gordon's anticipation for the circus is shattered by sudden illness and a mysterious, urgent panic sweeping through Briggsville—an advent…
Level B2HistoricalBrave Bessie WestlandIn a time of fierce Quaker persecution, young Bessie Westland hides with her sisters in a cellar as their parents face imprisonment for their faith.
Level B2AdventureBrandon of the EngineersIn the heat of a tense military campaign, Lieutenant Richard Brandon commands a daring engineering feat, constructing a crucial pontoon bridge under pressure.
Level B2HistoricalBoycotted, and Other StoriesA student at Draven’s school faces isolation and confusion after his close friend Browne is suddenly expelled, casting a shadow over their once lively term.
Level B2HistoricalBound to Rise; Or, Up the LadderA poor farming family faces hardship when their only cow falls ill, threatening their meager livelihood.
Level B2AdventureBonnie Prince Charlie : a Tale of Fontenoy and CullodenAmid the turmoil of 18th-century Scotland, a prodigal brother returns with secrets and a mysterious child, sparking tales of battles, loyalty, and daring adventures from Fontenoy t…
Level B2AdventureBonanza: A story of the Gold TrailIn the rugged West, a daring pony express rider races against time across hostile deserts and wild frontiers, embodying grit and courage on a perilous mail route that shapes a nati…
Level B2AdventureBlue Jackets: The Log of the TeaserThree young midshipmen aboard the gunboat Teaser navigate strict discipline and cultural tensions as they venture ashore into a bustling foreign city, where every step risks sparki…
Level B2AdventureBlown to Bits; or, The Lonely Man of RakataAmid the calm before a violent volcanic eruption near the Malay Archipelago, a young first mate struggles to prove himself at sea under his stern captain father’s watchful eye, cau…
Level B2HorrorBlack magicIn a sunlit Flemish house filled with mysterious relics and shadows of decay, a solitary young man meticulously gilds a wooden devil, setting green glass eyes that seem to awaken s…
Level B2AdventureBlack IvoryA young supercargo faces disaster when the English brig ‘Aurora’ springs a leak off Africa’s east coast, threatening to sink near a treacherous shore.
Level B2HistoricalBlack Beauty, Young Folks' EditionBorn into a peaceful meadow and raised with gentle care, a young horse learns the meaning of kindness and courage through early lessons and the thrilling sight of a hunt nearby.
Level B2HistoricalBlack BeautyBorn into kindness and raised with gentle care, a spirited young horse embarks on a journey through fields, hunts, and the challenges of growing up.
Level B2HistoricalBig and Little Sisters: A Story of an Indian Mission SchoolIn a chilly Dakota mission school, two Sioux girls navigate the challenges of chores, school, and holiday preparations, revealing their hopes, rivalries, and the quiet strength fou…
Level B2HistoricalBetween WhilesIn a rough New England wilderness, the wealthy and eccentric Willan Blaycke marries the bold and scandalous innkeeper's daughter, Jeanne Dubois, igniting tensions that ripple throu…
Level B2HistoricalBetty ZaneIn the rugged Ohio Valley during the American Revolution, a courageous young woman faces danger and daring feats that will shape the fate of a frontier settlement.
Level B2HistoricalBessie's Fortune: A NovelIn a picturesque New England town, a young woman transforms her family estate into a grand showplace inspired by European elegance, while hidden secrets linger within the lives of…![Cover of Bertha's Visit to Her Uncle in England; vol. 2 [of 3] by Mrs. Marcet](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8nuklnmvfc73bif6ag.webp)
Level B2HistoricalBertha's Visit to Her Uncle in England; vol. 2 [of 3]A curious visit unfolds through detailed letters revealing exotic agricultural practices, local anecdotes, and thoughtful reflections on ancient traditions, inviting readers into a…
Level B2AdventureBert Wilson at PanamaThree young American friends journey through a Mexico torn by revolution and danger, bound for the grand opening of the Panama Canal.
Level B2RomanceBerlin and Sans-Souci; Or, Frederick the Great and His FriendsIn the serene gardens of Charlottenburg, secretive whispers of alchemy and ambition stir as a young man and the king’s favorite plot to summon the devil himself—seeking forbidden k…
Level B2HistoricalBenefits Forgot: A Story of Lincoln and Mother LoveIn a small Ohio town before the Civil War, twelve-year-old Jason navigates the challenges of a strict Methodist community and his family's modest life while dreaming of books, educ…
Level B2AdventureBen, the Luggage Boy; Or, Among the WharvesA teenage luggage boy navigates the bustling wharves and fierce competition of New York’s streets, dreaming of a better life amid hardship and fleeting moments of joy.
Level B2AdventureBen's Nugget; Or, A Boy's Search For FortuneA determined sixteen-year-old miner and his rugged companion guard a valuable gold claim while caring for an injured friend in a remote Sierra Nevada mountain cabin, facing challen…
Level B2AdventureBen ComeeBorn into a struggling colonial family in pre-Revolutionary Lexington, Ben Comee’s tale unfolds amid frontier dangers, Indian wars, and the brewing conflict that will soon ignite a…
Level B2AdventureBegumbagh: A Tale of the Indian MutinyAmid the scorching heat and dust of colonial India, a determined regiment marches through hardship during the Indian Mutiny, guided by the spirited Harry Lant and narrated by the b…
Level B2HistoricalBefore the Dawn: A Story of the Fall of RichmondAmidst the looming fall of Richmond, a young soldier returns home weary but hopeful, encountering mysterious strangers and the bustling life of a city caught in the throes of war.
Level B2AdventureBarney Blake, the Boy Privateer; or, The Cruise of the Queer FishSet sail in 1813 aboard the Queer Fish, a lively privateer bristling with guns and crewed by a colorful band of sailors.
Level B2AdventureBarclay of the GuidesAmid the turmoil of the siege of Delhi during the great Mutiny, a daring young hunter spots a mysterious band of horsemen approaching his vulnerable village.
Level B2FantasyBalsamo, the magician; or, the memoirs of a physicianIn 1770, a mysterious and powerful stranger ventures into the shadowy forests near the Rhine, guided by a flickering light and veiled threats, as dark secrets and secret societies…
Level B2MysteryBaboe Dalima; or, The Opium FiendAmid a raging storm on Java's treacherous coast, two men await a mysterious ship rumored to carry a secret cargo.
Level B2AdventureAthelstane FordA young man escapes a cruel fate to seek treasure in the East Indies, facing battles, betrayal, and forbidden love, all while longing to break free from his quiet life and embrace…
Level B2AdventureAt the fall of Montreal; or, A soldier boy's final victoryTwo young soldiers, cousins David and Henry Morris, navigate the tense frontier as the English push to reclaim French-held forts and territory in North America.
Level B2AdventureAt the Point of the SwordAmidst the turmoil of colonial Peru, young Juan Crawford faces danger and mystery when Rosa Montilla, daughter of a Spanish officer, arrives at his home in distress—uncovering secr…