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 Pioneer Boys of the Missouri; or, In the Country of the SiouxTwo adventurous boys, Dick and Roger Armstrong, embark on a daring journey along the Missouri River in 1804, facing wild landscapes, fierce fish, and the challenges of frontier lif…
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys of the Mississippi; or, The Homestead in the WildernessTwo adventurous brothers navigate swollen rivers and dense forests on the edge of the American frontier, dreaming of fertile lands and new homesteads along the mighty Mississippi.
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys of the Columbia; or, In the Wilderness of the Great NorthwestTwo daring cousins navigate treacherous rapids and face wild frontiers in the early 1800s, striving to secure their family's land and carve out a future in the untamed West.
Level B2HistoricalThe Pilgrims' First ChristmasAmidst a perilous ocean crossing, weary Pilgrims face a bleak December, longing for home and hope as they prepare to land in a wild, unknown land just in time for their first Chris…
Level B2FantasyThe Phoenix and the CarpetFour curious children uncover a magical carpet and a mysterious phoenix egg, leading them on enchanting adventures that blend mischief, wonder, and unexpected surprises right at ho…
Level B2AdventureThe Phantom of the RiverPioneers Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone navigate the dangers of the Ohio wilderness, battling hostile forces and a mysterious menace known as The Panther.
Level B2AdventureThe Outdoor Girls in Army Service; Or, Doing Their Bit for the Soldier BoysA spirited group of girls, bound by friendship and patriotism, volunteer to support soldiers during wartime, weaving courage and camaraderie into every challenge they face.
Level B2HistoricalThe Orphan's Home Mittens, and George's Account of the Battle of Roanoke Island: Being the Sixth and Last Book of the SeriesIn the midst of the Civil War, children gather eagerly around Aunt Fanny as she shares heartwarming stories from the Orphan’s Home, revealing the humble beginnings and touching liv…
Level B2HistoricalThe Only Woman in the Town, and Other Tales of the American RevolutionAmid the chaos of the American Revolution, one steadfast woman refuses to flee her town, caring for her elderly uncle as battle looms and neighbors seek safety.
Level B2HistoricalThe Old Miracle Plays of EnglandStep back to medieval England where the first theaters were churchyards, and the earliest plays were vivid religious miracle performances.
Level B2AdventureThe Ocean Wireless Boys on War Swept SeasTwo adventurous youths board the Kronprinzessin Emilie, a ship carrying millions in gold, unaware that their luxury voyage will soon plunge them into the chaos of a world at war.
Level B2AdventureThe Ocean Cat's Paw: The Story of a Strange CruiseA boy and his uncle explore the wild beauty of Dartmoor, fishing tiny trout and collecting mysterious specimens by a sparkling stream.
Level B2HistoricalThe Northern IronAmid the rugged cliffs and shifting sands of 1798 Northern Antrim, a stern Presbyterian minister delves into ancient prophecies while the tides of history and rebellion stir beyond…
Level B2AdventureThe Noank's Log: A Privateer of the RevolutionAmidst the Revolutionary War's darkest days, the old whaler Noank sails as a privateer disrupting British commerce, capturing prize after prize.
Level B2AdventureThe Night Riders: A Thrilling Story of Love, Hate and Adventure, Graphically Depicting the Tobacco Uprising in KentuckyIn a Kentucky toll-house kitchen, young Sally wrestles with her mother's push to accept the Squire's offer—a chance to escape poverty but at the cost of her pride and independence—…
Level B2AdventureThe Night Riders: A Romance of Early MontanaA weary rider arrives at the fading Forks Settlement in early Montana, seeking shelter and news in a rough prairie town where life is sparse and strangers are met with suspicion.
Level B2HistoricalThe New Girl at St. Chad's: A Story of School LifeAt St.
Level B2AdventureThe New Forest SpyA spirited young angler navigates the dense, mysterious New Forest, determined to catch elusive trout while uncovering the secrets hidden within its tangled woods and sparkling str…
Level B2AdventureThe Mutineers: A Tale of Old Days at Sea and of Adventures in the Far East as Benjamin Lathrop Set It Down Some Sixty Years AgoA determined young man convinces his wary father to let him join a sea voyage to Canton, stepping into a world of adventure, mutiny, and far-flung dangers aboard the ship Island Pr…
Level B2AdventureThe Musket Boys of Old BostonIn the tense days before the American Revolution, two boys in Concord spy a mysterious youth igniting a secret signal, sparking their curiosity and plunging them into the thrilling…
Level B2AdventureThe Motor Maids' School DaysWhen Billie Campbell arrives at West Haven High School driving her own bright red motor car, she stirs curiosity and rivalry among the students, especially with the exclusive "Myst…
Level B2AdventureThe Motor Maids Across the ContinentFour adventurous young women leave school behind to embark on a thrilling motorcar journey from Chicago to San Francisco, embracing freedom, friendship, and the open road against a…
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of the Wyoming ValleyAmid the fierce land disputes and factional warfare in Wyoming Valley during the Revolutionary era, young settlers navigate perilous alliances and battles for survival as they defe…
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of York TownTwo Virginia boys, Saul and Fitzroy, are drawn into the revolutionary struggle after witnessing brutal British tactics near York Town.
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of South CarolinaTwo South Carolina boys join the daring guerrilla fight led by Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," as patriots resist British forces crushing the colonies.
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of PhiladelphiaAmid British occupation in Philadelphia, two young patriots navigate danger and daring plans to reclaim stolen horses from the king’s forces, risking everything to aid the cause of…
Level B2HistoricalThe Minute Boys of Long IslandThree young boys on Long Island band together as the Minute Boys, determined to defend their homes and fight for freedom amid growing Tory threats and the looming British invasion…
Level B2AdventureThe Minute Boys of BostonIn the tense days before the American Revolution, a group of Boston boys band together as the Minute Boys, ready to stand against British oppression and fight for their colony’s fr…
Level B2AdventureThe Messenger of the Black PrinceIn a turbulent France threatened by the Black Prince’s relentless advance, a mysterious man claiming to be the king’s fool challenges loyalties and provokes uneasy questions about…
Level B2RomanceThe Mesmerist's VictimIn the vibrant chaos of 1770 Paris, a young beauty named Andrea navigates the crowded streets amid royal celebrations, where danger and desire intertwine beneath the dazzling firew…
Level B2HistoricalThe Merchant of Berlin: An Historical NovelAmid the grim backdrop of the 1760 Silesian War, a wealthy Berlin merchant defies the somber mood by hosting a rare festival for his hardworking artisans, revealing the tensions an…
Level B2HistoricalThe Memoirs of an American CitizenA young man arrives destitute in 1876 Chicago, forced to sleep rough by the lakeshore as he searches for work and a place to belong.
Level B2AdventureThe Mate of the "Lily"; Or, Notes from Harry Musgrave's Log BookAmidst the vast seas, Jack Radburn, a brave and loyal mate, faces a perilous new voyage aboard the well-built brig "Lily.
Level B2AdventureThe Masters of the Peaks: A Story of the Great North WoodsIn the autumn wilderness of the Great North Woods, young Robert Lennox and his companions face the looming dangers of war and survival.
Level B2HistoricalThe Master of StairIn the misty Highlands, a band of Macdonald clansmen navigate treacherous terrain and encounter a mysterious lone horseman cloaked in scarlet—only to discover a woman rider whose p…
Level B2HistoricalThe Man in Gray: A Romance of North and SouthAmid the glittering halls of Arlington, young Southern society prepares for a grand ball as tensions over slavery mount in Washington.
Level B2AdventureThe Man from Glengarry: A Tale of the OttawaIn the rugged forests of early Canada, fierce rival lumbermen vie for control of the river, where courage, faith, and fierce pride shape their lives and the destiny of a nation in…
Level B2HistoricalThe Man Without a CountryA man’s furious rejection of his country leads to a haunting sentence: never to hear of the United States again.
Level B2AdventureThe Lure of the MississippiAs the Civil War erupts, a battery of soldiers hastens down the Mississippi, leaving a tense Sioux frontier behind.
Level B2AdventureThe Lost HeirIn the tense aftermath of a tiger attack in the Indian jungle, a mysterious English civilian named Mr.
Level B2AdventureThe Lost Gold of the Montezumas: A Story of the AlamoIn a shadowy cave beneath the gods of the Montezumas, a mysterious figure named Tetzcatl plots to stir up fierce Native tribes and lure Americans into a deadly trap amid the turbul…
Level B2MysteryThe Lost DespatchIn the frozen Maryland woods of 1864, a secret mission unfolds as two Union agents race to uncover the identity of a spy delaying crucial military despatches—could the fate of the…
Level B2AdventureThe Loss of the Royal GeorgeA young boy is thrust into life aboard the mighty Royal George during the tumultuous Seven Years’ War, facing the chaos of naval battles and the harsh realities of the sea as Engla…
Level B2AdventureThe Lords of the Wild: A Story of the Old New York BorderAmid the vibrant wilderness of the Old New York border, a young man named Robert Lennox seeks refuge and strength while navigating the dangers of the frontier.
Level B2HistoricalThe Lonely WarriorIn 1914, a young architect wrestles with his duty to join a distant war that threatens the world’s fragile peace, confronting his father’s pragmatic caution and his own restless id…
Level B2AdventureThe Log of a Cowboy: A Narrative of the Old Trail DaysAmid the aftermath of the Civil War, a young boy embarks on a rugged journey from Georgia to Texas, learning the true meaning of courage and survival while guarding his family’s pr…
Level B2HistoricalThe Log School-House on the ColumbiaAmid the towering peaks and vast wilderness of the Oregon Territory, a young German girl with dreams of poetry and music navigates the rugged life of pioneer settlers, caught betwe…
Level B2HistoricalThe Littlest RebelIn the shadow of the Civil War, a spirited seven-year-old girl named Virgie brings innocence and imagination to a world scarred by conflict, weaving childhood play with the harsh r…