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 With Axe and Rifle, Winona and Winning the Wilderness. 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 B2HistoricalThe Little Washington's RelativesWhen city cousins arrive, George and Martha eagerly plan adventures to share their hometown’s history, including battles, homesteads, and playful reenactments, promising a lively a…
Level B2HistoricalThe Little Old PortraitAmid the turmoil of the French Revolution, a humble farmhouse in Touraine becomes a beacon of hope and courage, where children prepare to celebrate their mother’s birthday amidst m…
Level B2HistoricalThe Little ImmigrantA young girl reluctantly leaves her home to join her sister in America, embarking on a challenging six-week sea voyage and navigating the unfamiliar landscapes of Texas.
Level B2HistoricalThe Little Duke: Richard the FearlessIn 943 Normandy, young Richard, heir to Duke William, grows up under the care of loyal vassals in the rugged Castle of Bayeux, where ancient customs and fierce loyalties shape his…
Level B2HistoricalThe Little ColonelA spirited young girl and her lively terrier arrive at a grand Kentucky estate, stirring curiosity in the stern old colonel who guards its grounds.
Level B2AdventureThe Lion of Saint Mark: A Story of Venice in the Fourteenth CenturyIn 14th-century Venice, a young English boy navigates a city of shimmering canals and shadowy councils, caught between the proud republic’s fierce independence and the looming thre…
Level B2AdventureThe Lily and the Cross: A Tale of AcadiaCaught in a fog aboard a modest schooner bound for Louisbourg, a young captain, a mysterious French priest, and a spirited youth embark on a voyage steeped in secrets and adventure…
Level B2AdventureThe LighthouseTwo fishermen brave the treacherous Bell Rock, a notorious hazard lurking beneath the waves, as a fierce storm has just passed, leaving wreckage and danger in its wake.
Level B2AdventureThe Light Keepers: A Story of the United States Light-house ServiceAmidst fog and crashing waves, veteran lighthouse keepers confront a mysterious boat approaching their isolated station, testing their courage and camaraderie in the wild sea.
Level B2RomanceThe Life and Death of Cormac the SkaldIn a land ruled by Vikings and ancient magic, Cormac, the fiery son of a great champion, navigates fierce battles, bitter rivalries, and a tragic love that shapes his destiny amids…
Level B2AdventureThe Liberty Boys Running the Blockade; or, Getting Out of New YorkIn occupied New York, young patriots known as the Liberty Boys navigate British spies and secret signals, turning the tables on their enemies as they plan a daring escape.
Level B2HistoricalThe Letters of "Norah" on Her Tour Through IrelandSet sail on a vivid journey through Ireland as a determined traveler navigates seasickness, smoky train rides, and bustling ports, all while capturing the spirit and landscapes of…
Level B2HistoricalThe Leopard's Spots: A Romance of the White Man's Burden—1865-1900In the turbulent aftermath of the Civil War, a Southern hero returns to a land reshaped by defeat and Reconstruction, where old loyalties clash with new realities and the fight for…
Level B2HistoricalThe Legends of San FranciscoAn ancient Tamalpais maiden recounts the sacred legend of her people, revealing the mystical origins of Mount Tamalpais and the vanished tribes who once thrived along San Francisco…
Level B2AdventureThe Last of the Chiefs: A Story of the Great Sioux WarTwo brothers journey across the harsh, sun-scorched plains toward California, battling exhaustion, rough company, and relentless heat in hopes that the mountains will bring healing…
Level B2HistoricalThe Last Vendée; or, the She-Wolves of MachecoulAmid the decaying grandeur of a forgotten château near the forest of Machecoul, the last noble descendant faces the shadows of a turbulent past in revolutionary France, where loyal…
Level B2AdventureThe Last TrailA weary group halts in a shadowy Ohio valley as their guide mysteriously deserts them, leaving them vulnerable in a wild frontier where danger lurks in the dark—will they survive t…
Level B2AdventureThe Last RebelLost in the vast, untamed wilderness of the Appalachian Mountains, a lone hunter battles fatigue, hunger, and a looming snowstorm as he searches for shelter and a way back to camp.
Level B2HistoricalThe Land of Evangeline: The Authentic Story of Her Country and Her People: With Evangeline by H. W. LongfellowIn the blossoming landscapes of Grand-Pré, a young Acadian maiden faces exile and separation from her beloved Gabriel during the 1755 Deportation.
Level B2AdventureThe Lance of Kanana: A Story of ArabiaIn a fierce Bedouin tribe where valor is measured by the sword, Kanana stands apart—refusing to fight and branded a coward.
Level B2HistoricalThe Lady of the DecorationA young widow, burdened by loss and family expectations, embarks on a daring journey to teach at a mission school in Japan.
Level B2HistoricalThe Lady and Sada San: A Sequel to the Lady of the DecorationA devoted wife defies her husband's wishes to journey from Kentucky to Japan, facing the uncertainties of a world on the brink of scientific discovery and political unrest.
Level B2AdventureThe Kopje Garrison: A Story of the Boer WarTwo young officers in South Africa trade rifles for fishing lines, braving unknown waters and lurking dangers as they seek a meal amidst the tense backdrop of the Boer War.
Level B2AdventureThe Kopje FarmAmidst the looming threat of war on the South African veldt, young Jack Lovat must defend his family's fortified ostrich farm, "The Kopje," against encroaching danger while navigat…
Level B2AdventureThe King's SonsFour Saxon princes grow strong under the watchful eyes of their king and fierce protector, learning swordplay and preparing for the looming threat of Norse invaders.
Level B2HistoricalThe King's Cup-BearerAmid the fragrant gardens and sparkling rivers of ancient Shushan, a Jewish foreigner rises to power in the Persian king’s magnificent palace.
Level B2AdventureThe King's Arrow: A Tale of the United Empire LoyalistsTwo loyalists navigate treacherous wilderness and hostile forces in 1783 as they seek safety and survival amid the turmoil following the American Revolution.
Level B2HistoricalThe Kiltartan History BookJourney through ancient Ireland’s rich tales of legendary tribes, master craftsmen, and cunning women who shape fate with wit and wisdom in a land where love and invention define s…
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys over the Top; Or, Doing and Daring for Uncle SamFive comrades in the trenches brace for a daring dawn assault, their camaraderie tested amid the tense shadows of wartime.
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys at the Front; or, Shoulder to Shoulder in the TrenchesFive young soldiers forge an unbreakable bond as they navigate training, friendship, and the harsh realities of World War I, preparing to face the front lines in war-torn France.
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys Fighting to Win; or, Smashing the German LinesAmid distant bombardments and tense moments in a bomb-proof dugout, a group of khaki-clad soldiers prepare for relentless battles against German forces, sharing camaraderie, braver…
Level B2HistoricalThe Kentucky RangerIn the rugged Kentucky wilderness, a determined pioneer preacher rides tirelessly, spreading faith and facing mockery, danger, and frontier challenges.
Level B2AdventureThe Keepers of the Trail: A Story of the Great WoodsIn the vast, untamed wilderness of Kentucky, a skilled youth named Henry Ware reigns supreme, blending seamlessly with the forest as he navigates its dangers and wonders.
Level B2AdventureThe Jungle BookIn the heart of the jungle, a wolf pack faces the threat of the fierce tiger Shere Khan, whose hunger for man disrupts the delicate balance of the wild.
Level B2HistoricalThe Jugglers: A StoryA traveling troupe of jugglers and singers faces a crucial decision about where to winter, while their prima donna, Diane, recalls her humble origins and dreams of the town she nev…
Level B2AdventureThe Island of EnchantmentAs Venice faces a looming invasion and internal strife, young Zuan Gradenigo is summoned by his ailing uncle, the doge, who fiercely vows to defend their cherished island of Arbe f…
Level B2FantasyThe Iron Star — And What It Saw on Its Journey Through the Ages: From Myth to HistoryJourney through a primeval world where fire is a precious treasure and ancient fears roam the forest.
Level B2HistoricalThe Hunter Cats of ConnorloaA lonely gentleman, weakened by illness, settles in sunny California after years of wandering the world in search of health.
Level B2AdventureThe House of SpiesIn the dead of night, Jasper Benham confronts a daring stable break-in by ruthless horse thieves, setting off a pulse-pounding chase and a fight to protect what’s left from a ruthl…
Level B2FantasyThe House of Arden: A Story for ChildrenTwo children, Edred and Elfrida Arden, live in a once-grand but now crumbling family estate by the sea, struggling with the hardships of lost fortune and unwelcome lodgers.
Level B2AdventureThe Hosts of the AirTrapped in the grim reality of World War I trenches, a young soldier wrestles with the brutal landscape and the memory of a distant love, while the thunder of artillery and the sha…
Level B2HistoricalThe Homesteader: A NovelIn a struggling Indiana farming family, Agnes—a young woman marked by mysterious, captivating eyes—bears the weight of her family's future as they return home broken but determined…
Level B2HistoricalThe Hill: A Romance of FriendshipA young boy faces the daunting challenge of entering the esteemed Harrow School, where friendship, tradition, and the trials of youth intertwine on the iconic Hill.
Level B2RomanceThe Hero of the People: A Historical Romance of Love, Liberty and LoyaltyAmid the turmoil of the French Revolution, a skilled artisan with secret motives watches the royal procession, weaving a tale of love, liberty, and loyalty as hidden forces stir th…
Level B2AdventureThe Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain BoysIn the tense winter of 1764, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys confront a royal proclamation that threatens their land and loyalty.
Level B2HistoricalThe Hand-Made Gentleman: A Tale of the Battles of PeaceA spirited boy named Cricket navigates the challenges of youth amid the dawn of steam power and industrial change, encountering ghosts, inventions, and battles of enterprise.
Level B2HistoricalThe Guns of Shiloh: A Story of the Great Western CampaignAmid the chaos of a crushing defeat, young Northern soldier Dick Mason grapples with despair as his army retreats, setting the stage for a gripping tale of courage and conflict in…
Level B2AdventureThe Guns of EuropeAmid the looming chaos of Europe’s great war, a young American traveler contemplates art and humanity, witnessing the stirring moments that ignite a global conflict.