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 B2AdventureThe Vinland ChampionsAmidst the fog-bound seas near Vinland, a young Viking named Alrek faces fierce challenges and fierce rivals as settlers strive to tame the wild new lands.
Level B2RomanceThe Victim: A Romance of the Real Jefferson DavisAmid the turmoil of the South, a young boy named Jeff Davis faces a painful separation from his family as he is sent away for education, while the shadow of war and leadership loom…
Level B2HistoricalThe Velvet GloveIn the wind-swept city of Saragossa, a white-haired man returns after fifteen years, quietly navigating the ancient Ebro River with a secret purpose unknown to those awaiting him.
Level B2HistoricalThe Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican RevolutionAmid the turmoil of the Mexican Revolution, Demetrio Macias, a humble farmer turned reluctant bandit, faces danger and betrayal as soldiers invade his home, forcing him to navigate…
Level B2AdventureThe Two Supercargoes; Or, Adventures in Savage AfricaAfter a deadly fever claims the captain and most of the crew on an African trading voyage, the surviving supercargoes face suspicion, pirates, and moral dilemmas in a perilous ques…
Level B2HistoricalThe Tree of AppomattoxAs the Civil War draws to a close, intertwined lives on both sides of the conflict face battles of loyalty, courage, and survival amid historic clashes and shifting allegiances.
Level B2AdventureThe Treasure of the Tigris: A Tale of MesopotamiaA young scholar, barred from a military career, embarks on a daring expedition to ancient Babylon, mastering cuneiform and Arabic to uncover hidden treasures and mysteries in Mesop…
Level B2AdventureThe Treasure of the Incas: A Story of Adventure in PeruTwo men plot an adventurous quest to uncover the lost treasure of the Incas in the treacherous wilds of Peru, where hidden gold and ancient secrets await beneath hostile forests an…
Level B2HistoricalThe TreasureIn a frozen winter under King Frederik's reign, a disabled fish hawker and his loyal dog journey toward Solberga parsonage, where eerie howls and unsettling omens hint at hidden da…
Level B2HistoricalThe Traitor: A Story of the Fall of the Invisible EmpireIn the turbulent aftermath of the Klan’s political power, a former chief faces fierce neighborhood feuds, legal battles, and personal betrayals in the Southern Piedmont.
Level B2AdventureThe Trail of the SenecaAmid the serene autumn of 1792, the exiled Seneca Lone-Elk seizes control of a Delaware tribe’s Thanksgiving feast, weaving ambition and cunning into a tale of power, tradition, an…
Level B2AdventureThe Trail of a Sourdough: Life in AlaskaTrapped by a brutal Alaskan blizzard, a group of miners huddle together, sharing tales of survival and fortune in the unforgiving north.
Level B2AdventureThe Trail of The Badger: A Story of the Colorado Border Thirty Years AgoTwo enterprising boys navigate the rugged Colorado border, caught between clashing cultures and untamed wilderness.
Level B2HistoricalThe Toy Shop: A Romantic Story of Lincoln the ManA somber man wrestles with the heavy burdens of war and leadership, haunted by the cost of conflict and the innocence of childhood.
Level B2HistoricalThe Tory LoverAmidst the tension of 1777, Colonel Jonathan Hamilton hosts a gathering at his grand estate, where the arrival of a mysterious boat stirs anticipation and unease.
Level B2HistoricalThe Times Red Cross Story Book: by Famous Novelists Serving in His Majesty's ForcesIn the lawless, uncharted lands south of Mequinez, young Dimoussi—half Arab, half Negro—sets out with a pistol and a hunger for adventure, navigating bustling Moroccan markets and…
Level B2AdventureThe Tiger of Mysore: A Story of the War with Tippoo SaibStranded on hostile shores and caught in the ruthless power struggle of Southern India, a young man learns of his father's mysterious fate amid Tippoo Saib's brutal reign.
Level B2AdventureThe Three AdmiralsA Royal Navy corvette sails the Pacific, facing typhoons, sharks, and mysterious island shores as young officers navigate danger and duty on a daring mission to investigate an outr…
Level B2HistoricalThe Thorn in the NestIn the quiet valley of 1797 Pennsylvania, Kenneth Clendenin returns home to a family marked by gentle bonds and unspoken sorrows.
Level B2AdventureThe Thirsty Sword: A Story of the Norse Invasion of Scotland (1262-1263)In 1262 Scotland, young Kenric returns to a troubled Bute, where loyalties clash and ancient curses stir amid the looming Norse invasion.
Level B2AdventureThe Texan Star: The Story of a Great Fight for LibertyIn a Mexican prison, a young boy and his mentor face the rising threat of Santa Anna’s ruthless ambition as Texas struggles for liberty.
Level B2AdventureThe Texan Scouts: A Story of the Alamo and GoliadA lone young scout braves a relentless Texan winter storm, riding through vast, desolate plains with only his horse for company.
Level B2AdventureThe Telegraph BoyA determined fifteen-year-old arrives in New York with just twenty-five cents, ready to carve out a living as a telegraph boy amidst the bustling city streets and colorful characte…
Level B2AdventureThe Talking Leaves: An Indian StoryTwo young girls, one the daughter of an Apache chief, witness a mysterious discovery deep in their mountain valley: a recent camp left by white men in a land they believed safe fro…
Level B2RomanceThe Sword of GideonAs war erupts in 1702, loyal horsemen race through villages spreading the call to arms against the tyrannical King Louis, rallying England’s forces under the fierce leadership of t…
Level B2AdventureThe Sword of Antietam: A Story of the Nation's CrisisAmid the sun-scorched hills and valleys of the South, a young Northern soldier scans the landscape, bracing for the clash of armies and the unfolding drama of the nation’s gravest…
Level B2AdventureThe Swan and Her Crew: or The Adventures of Three Young Naturalists and Sportsmen on the Broads and Rivers of NorfolkThree young naturalists embark on thrilling adventures exploring Norfolk's broads and rivers, encountering wildlife, building a yacht, and facing perils on the water.
Level B2RomanceThe Sun of Saratoga: A Romance of Burgoyne's SurrenderAmid the tense watch of a critical Revolutionary War outpost, a young patriot guards a strategic hollow, confronting divided loyalties and the looming threat of British spies—while…
Level B2AdventureThe Sun of Quebec: A Story of a Great CrisisAmid the turmoil of the French and Indian War, two young survivors find refuge and face the looming threat of a French advance on Albany.
Level B2HistoricalThe Sun Maid: A Story of Fort DearbornAmid the rising grandeur of a young Chicago, a brave Native American chief foresees bloodshed while a spirited orphan girl, full of innocent wonder, navigates a world caught betwee…
Level B2AdventureThe Story of the Treasure Seekers: Being the Adventures of the Bastable Children in Search of a FortuneSix resourceful siblings face fallen fortunes and a silent house, deciding to seek treasure to restore their family’s happiness and hope, embarking on imaginative adventures fueled…
Level B2HistoricalThe Story of the Little MamsellIn a small town, a curious child becomes captivated by the mysterious old Mahlmann and his haunting stories of revolution, love, and survival in Paris.
Level B2HistoricalThe Story of the Battle Hymn of the RepublicAmid the turmoil leading to the Civil War, witness the fierce battle against slavery and the birth of a stirring anthem born from this historic struggle.
Level B2AdventureThe Story of ViteauTwo brothers in medieval Burgundy face a pivotal moment as one prepares to leave home to train as a knight, while the other embarks on an education that blends chivalry with schola…
Level B2HistoricalThe Story of TroyStep into the epic saga of brave warriors and divine beings as gods intervene in the legendary siege of Troy, weaving a timeless tale of heroism, betrayal, and fate that shaped anc…
Level B2AdventureThe Story of Red Feather: A Tale of the American FrontierTwo siblings journey through the vast American frontier, navigating trails and streams on horseback, as they return home from a visit.
Level B2AdventureThe Story of Nelson: also "The Grateful Indian", "The Boatswain's Son"A young boy’s dream of the sea leads him to Greenwich Hospital, where stories from Nelson’s old shipmates reveal the bravery and spirit behind England’s greatest naval hero.
Level B2HistoricalThe Story of AlexanderStep into a medieval castle hall where tales of brave knights, fierce battles, and ancient magic come alive.
Level B2Science FictionThe Story of Ab: A Tale of the Time of the Cave ManIn a rugged prehistoric world where fierce beasts roam and survival is a daily battle, a resilient cave baby named Ab begins a journey shaped by love, danger, and discovery amidst…
Level B2MysteryThe Store BoyYoung Ben Barclay’s routine life takes a dangerous turn when a mysterious tramp recognizes his family name and demands money during a lonely ride to Pentonville—testing Ben’s coura…
Level B2RomanceThe Star of IndiaIn the sweltering heat of 1857 India, an assistant surgeon embarks on a perilous journey to Delhi, navigating political intrigue and ancient rivalries.
Level B2HistoricalThe Star of Gettysburg: A Story of Southern High TideIn the midst of the Civil War, young Southern hero Harry Kenton and his comrades navigate the trials of battle and loyalty, weaving honor, courage, and romance into the fierce conf…
Level B2RomanceThe Squaw Man: A NovelA young man prepares to leave his ancestral home for distant India, caught between family loyalty and the cold ambitions of his aunt and cousin.
Level B2HistoricalThe Spy: The Story of a Superfluous ManA fragile, lonely boy endures cruelty and isolation while seeking solace in a worn church and its quiet corners.
Level B2HistoricalThe SpyAmid the tense backdrop of the Revolutionary War’s neutral ground, a daring tale unfolds where loyalty is tested and secrets abound.
Level B2HistoricalThe Spartan TwinsIn ancient Greece, ten-year-old Spartan twins Dion and Daphne live on a farm near Athens, where their mother Lydia prepares for unexpected guests and daily life unfolds with the rh…
Level B2HistoricalThe Southerner: A Romance of the Real LincolnIn the turbulent years leading up to the Civil War, a rugged Southern man struggles with education and love in his cabin, while the fate of the nation unfolds around iconic figures…
Level B2AdventureThe South Sea WhalerSet sail on a thrilling South Sea whaling voyage with Captain Tredeagle and his children, Walter and Alice, as they navigate the dangers of the Pacific, encounter exotic wildlife,…