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 Solitary of Juan Fernandez, or the Real Robinson CrusoeIn early 18th-century Scotland, Catherine "Pretty Kitty" Felton runs the bustling Royal Salmon inn, navigating suitors, shifting fortunes, and the sea’s stories.
Level B2AdventureThe Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army: A Story of the Great RebellionAs Fort Sumter falls, young Thomas Somers feels the urgent call to defend his country, igniting a fierce patriotism that draws him from peaceful village life into the harsh realiti…
Level B2HistoricalThe Soil (La terre): A Realistic NovelIn the expansive plains of La Beauce, a solitary farmer sows seeds against the looming threat of frost, while a young girl struggles to control a runaway cow—unfolding a vivid port…
Level B2HistoricalThe Simple Adventures of a MemsahibA young Englishwoman embraces the vibrant, challenging life of a memsahib in colonial Lower Bengal, navigating social expectations, cultural contrasts, and the spirited pursuits of…
Level B2HistoricalThe Silver GlenAmid the turmoil of the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion, Lady Barbara Fleming recounts her family's trials and loyalties through stirring letters, revealing a vivid tale of exile, honor, a…
Level B2HistoricalThe Silver ArrowIn the shadow of Queen Elizabeth's court, Sir Walter Raleigh navigates ambition, espionage, and forbidden romance with Eleanor White, the bold daughter of the court fool.
Level B2HistoricalThe Short Line WarAmidst the rising tensions of 1861 Kentucky, James Weeks, a rugged young man from a proud fighting lineage, struggles to bridge the gap between his straightforward nature and the e…
Level B2AdventureThe Shadow of the North: A Story of Old New York and a Lost CampaignIn the midst of the French and Indian War, a young Onondaga warrior sheds the ways of the white man to embrace his heritage as he navigates the perilous wilderness, where fierce ba…
Level B2RomanceThe Shadow of the CzarA daring British captain, restless in peacetime, embarks on a solitary journey through the wild Dalmatian forests, seeking adventure and the unknown—where danger and romance await…
Level B2RomanceThe Shadow of Victory: A Romance of Fort DearbornIn a remote frontier trading-post battered by winter winds, a young man returns home to teach and uphold honor amid the rugged life and complex alliances at Fort Dearborn, where th…
Level B2HistoricalThe Shades of the Wilderness: A Story of Lee's Great StandAmid the harrowing retreat from Gettysburg, wounded soldiers and determined officers navigate mud and darkness toward the South, setting the stage for the fierce battles of the Wil…
Level B2AdventureThe Settlers in CanadaAn English family braves the wilds of late 18th-century Canada, facing untamed nature, uneasy French settlers, and isolation as they seek a new life on the frontier after an unexpe…
Level B2HistoricalThe Secret Memoirs of Bertha Krupp: From the Papers and Diaries of Chief Gouvernante Baroness D'AltevilleAmid the iron grip of a formidable war lord, the heiress Bertha Krupp navigates a world of military power, court intrigue, and secret alliances.
Level B2AdventureThe Scouts of the ValleyA lone boy paddles stealthily through the shadowed wilderness, relying on his keen senses and unmatched skill to navigate unknown waters.
Level B2AdventureThe Scouts of Stonewall: The Story of the Great Valley CampaignAmid the rugged Virginia landscape, young Confederate officer Harry Kenton navigates the trials of war, courage, and loyalty during the gripping Great Valley Campaign, where friend…
Level B2HistoricalThe Samovar GirlIn a bleak Siberian exile colony, ten-year-old Peter lives with his bootmaker father, a political prisoner under the Czar’s harsh rule.
Level B2RomanceThe Sagamore of SacoIn a rugged colony where wild spirits clash, John Bonyton and Hope defy society’s rules and each other, bound by fierce independence and untamed passions amid the wilderness and da…
Level B2AdventureThe Rulers of the Lakes: A Story of George and ChamplainAmid the shadowed forests of the French and Indian War, three allies—a white youth, a seasoned hunter, and a young Onondaga warrior—spy on a mysterious, deadly force reshaping the…
Level B2AdventureThe Rover of the Andes: A Tale of Adventure on South AmericaA solitary Englishman journeys the rugged Andes, navigating treacherous terrain and unexpected encounters in a land where appearances deceive and survival demands courage and cunni…
Level B2HistoricalThe Roses of Saint ElizabethIn the shadow of the ancient Wartburg Castle, young Katrina and her protector Fritz uncover the legends and mysteries woven into its stone walls, igniting dreams of courage, kindne…
Level B2HistoricalThe Rocket: The Story of the Stephensons, Father and SonIn the rugged coal regions of 18th-century England, a determined boy named George Stephenson rises from humble beginnings, tending family and livestock while dreaming of a future b…
Level B2AdventureThe Rock of Chickamauga: A Story of the Western CrisisAmid the dense forests and treacherous terrain near Bellevue, Northern soldier Dick Mason and his comrades face the looming threat of ambush by Confederate guerrillas led by the cu…
Level B2AdventureThe Road to Paris: A Story of AdventureA young adventurer recounts his perilous journey through 18th-century America and Europe, filled with battles, imprisonment, and intrigue, revealing a hidden narrative unearthed fr…
Level B2AdventureThe Road to FrontenacAmidst the tense French-Iroquois frontier, Captain Menard confronts the harsh realities of captivity and conflict, as the colonial powers enforce brutal policies that threaten frag…
Level B2AdventureThe Riverpark RebellionAt a prestigious military academy, a determined young adjutant struggles to maintain strict discipline over a rebellious battalion of cadets, where tensions rise and order threaten…
Level B2AdventureThe Riflemen of the Ohio: A Story of the Early Days along "The Beautiful River"A fleet of daring pioneers navigates the vast, untamed Ohio River, facing the looming threat of hostile tribes and the wild unknown as they strive to deliver vital supplies to fron…
Level B2AdventureThe Riflemen of the MiamiIn the wild wilderness along the Miami River, four skilled riflemen stealthily track a group of war-painted Indians carrying a captive woman.
Level B2HistoricalThe Return of the O'Mahony: A NovelIn the tense last days of the Civil War, Company F faces hunger and hardship deep in hostile backwoods, guided by their enigmatic, fearless—and flawed—veteran Zeke Tisdale, whose m…
Level B2AdventureThe Red-Blooded Heroes of the FrontierAmid the vast, waterless Llano Estacado, pioneering Texas cowboys risk everything to blaze a treacherous cattle trail to distant markets, battling hostile lands, scarce water, and…
Level B2HistoricalThe Red, White, and GreenAmid the 1848 European revolutions, two loyal Hungarian brothers confront a city teetering on insurrection, where students, artisans, and the desperate rise against empire, forcing…
Level B2HistoricalThe Red Flower: Poems Written in War TimePoignant poems emerge from the turmoil of war, capturing the clash of duty, honor, and sacrifice amid the shadows of conflict.
Level B2HistoricalThe Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil WarAn eager young soldier faces the reality of war as his army prepares to move and battle looms near, challenging his dreams of glory with the harsh truths of the American Civil War.
Level B2RomanceThe Red AxeIn a snow-covered city ruled by the fierce Duke Casimir, a lonely boy marked by a crimson patch longs for friendship and belonging, while dark secrets and fierce loyalties swirl in…
Level B2HistoricalThe Rebellion in the Cevennes, an Historical Novel. Vol. II.Amidst the shadows of the Cevennes mountains, Edmond navigates danger and loyalty, confronting hidden threats to his family and homeland during a time of rebellion.
Level B2AdventureThe Ranger; Or, The Fugitives of the BorderIn a remote Ohio wilderness, young George and Rosalind Leland face mounting threats as rumors of savage attacks spread, forcing them to defend their home against a dangerous and un…
Level B2AdventureThe Rajah of DahEmbarking from a small trading port on the Malay Peninsula, a spirited naturalist and his eager nephew set off on a daring river expedition into uncharted wilderness, armed with su…
Level B2AdventureThe Raid from Beausejour; and How the Carter Boys Lifted the Mortgage: Two Stories of AcadieIn 1750 Acadie, a young Acadian boy races to warn his family of a looming British invasion and a fiery ultimatum from a fierce French priest determined to burn their village rather…
Level B2AdventureThe Quest of the Four: A Story of the Comanches and Buena VistaA young Kentuckian stands at the bustling levee of New Orleans, drawn by tales of the vast Southwest and its mysteries.
Level B2HistoricalThe Queen's CupIn the serene Greendale mansion, a tense rivalry unfolds between two men bound by a shared past of schoolyard fights and fierce competition in sport and intellect, each striving to…
Level B2AdventureThe Privateer's-Man, One hundred Years AgoA fierce battle unfolds as a privateer’s crew pursues a heavily armed French ship carrying a wealthy family and fortune, leading to a desperate fight for survival and honor on the…
Level B2RomanceThe Princess VirginiaA spirited princess with American blood defies expectations and royal duty, longing for a love as radiant as the sun—though the man she desires remains unseen and seemingly out of…
Level B2RomanceThe Princess Athura: A romance of IranAmidst the vast plains of ancient Asia, the indomitable King Cyrus prepares his well-trained army for a decisive battle against the fierce horsemen of the North.
Level B2HistoricalThe Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher: A True StoryA grieving widow struggles to find care for her infant in a harsh 1860s poorhouse, where rules are strict and hope is scarce.
Level B2RomanceThe Playground of SatanAmidst the grandeur of a Polish estate during wartime, tangled family ties and old rivalries ignite as Roman Skarbek returns, stirring whispers of love and debts, while the spirite…
Level B2HistoricalThe Plague of the HeartIn a tense colonial outpost, Captain Terrington faces treacherous terrain and hostile tribes while navigating complex power plays ahead of a grand Durbar.
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys on the Great Lakes; or, On the Trail of the IroquoisTwo frontier brothers face the dangers of wilderness life and possible Indian uprisings as they settle near the Ohio River, relying on courage and cunning to protect their family a…
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys of the Yellowstone; or, Lost in the Land of WondersTwo pioneer boys join the Lewis and Clark expedition, venturing deep into the Yellowstone wilderness where mysterious lands and dangers await.
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys of the Ohio; or, Clearing the WildernessTwo frontier brothers brave the Virginia wilderness before the Revolution, hunting for fresh venison to help their struggling family.