Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
3,675 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.
- 3,675
- books
Level C1AdventureThe Rebel Chief: A Tale of Guerilla LifeIn the rugged mountain defiles of Mexico, two heavily armed horsemen—a seasoned rebel and a young European count—embark on a perilous journey through breathtaking landscapes, where…
Level C1HistoricalThe Real Shelley. New Views of the Poet's Life. Vol. 2 (of 2)Explore the intricate life of a revolutionary poet through detailed examination of his connections, letters, and the era’s intellectual currents, revealing new perspectives on his…
Level C1HistoricalThe Real Shelley. New Views of the Poet's Life. Vol. 1 (of 2)Uncover the truth behind the famed poet’s life as this revealing study separates fact from the romanticized myths crafted by admirers, family, and social theorists, exposing the re…
Level C1HistoricalThe RapidsA visionary entrepreneur stumbles upon a forgotten town with untapped water power and vast potential, setting the stage for ambition, industry, and transformation amid the rugged w…
Level C1HistoricalThe Rangers; or, The Tory's Daughter: A Tale Illustrative of the Revolutionary History of Vermont and the Northern Campaign of 1777Amid the thawing snows of revolutionary Vermont, a wealthy party journeys through harsh terrain as tensions rise and hidden currents of loyalty and conflict emerge.
Level C1AdventureThe Ranche on the Oxhide: A Story of Boys' and Girls' Life on the FrontierIn post-Civil War Kansas, a veteran and his family venture into the untamed frontier, facing the challenges of wilderness, hostile tribes, and the quest for a new life on the open…
Level C1HistoricalThe Rajah's Heir: A Novel in 3 volumesIn a kingdom on the brink of change, a dying rajah reflects on lost dreams and the burden of leadership as he entrusts his loyal companion with a secret that could redefine their p…
Level C1HistoricalThe Quest of GloryTrapped in a frozen, besieged Prague, four French officers endure a cold, weary winter amid political intrigue and shifting alliances in 1742.
Level C1HistoricalThe Queen's Quair; or, The Six Years' TragedyAmid the haunted mists of six turbulent years, the fierce Queen Mary of Scotland faces heartbreak and betrayal in a realm ruled by men unready for her strength.
Level C1RomanceThe Queen's Maries: A Romance of HolyroodAmid the gloomy streets of Calais, a young queen sleeps before leaving her beloved France forever, poised between hope and heartbreak.
Level C1RomanceThe Queen's Favourite: A Story of the RestorationIn a France shadowed by exile and loss, the young Princess Henrietta and her devoted court await the return of Charles II to reclaim the English throne, igniting hope, loyalty, and…
Level C1AdventureThe Queen of the Savannah: A Story of the Mexican WarIn the rugged wilds of New Spain, a tense expedition unfolds as Don Aníbal de Saldibar, his loyal majordomo, and a mysterious young woman confront the simmering resistance of the i…
Level C1HistoricalThe Queen Versus Billy, and Other StoriesAmid the eerie beauty of Sunflower Bay, a British captain leads a tense investigation into the murder of a trader, navigating deadly treachery and the harsh realities of colonial c…
Level C1HistoricalThe Queen Bee, and Other Nature StoriesIn a bustling hive, the queen bee commands her workers through the rhythms of nature’s seasons, guiding them as they gather honey, build intricate cells, and nurture new life in a…
Level C1HistoricalThe PuritansIn post-Puritan Boston, a devout novice grapples with his strict upbringing as he ventures into the worldly unknown alongside his daring cousin, attending mysterious gatherings led…
Level C1HistoricalThe Puritan TwinsIn 1638 New England, spirited twins Nancy and Daniel navigate the challenges of pioneer life beneath their stern Puritan mother's watchful eye, exploring fields, rivers, and the ev…
Level C1HistoricalThe Purchase Price; Or, The Cause of CompromiseA captivating lady finds herself a guarded prisoner aboard a river packet, locked in a tense, enigmatic journey with her reluctant military escort.
Level C1AdventureThe Puppet CrownA weary king trapped on a puppet throne longs to reclaim his lost birthright while shadowed by a fiery cousin whose will threatens the fragile peace of their divided kingdom.
Level C1HistoricalThe Public vs. M. Gustave FlaubertIn a courtroom drama unfolding over a controversial romance, the public prosecutor unravels the story of Madame Bovary, exposing a provincial life tinged with desire, disillusionme…
Level C1HistoricalThe Public Orations of Demosthenes, volume 2Amidst Philip's aggressive expansion in Thrace and the Chersonese, impassioned orations defend Athens' precarious position and call for decisive action against Macedonian threats.
Level C1HistoricalThe Public Orations of Demosthenes, volume 1Step into the fierce world of ancient Athenian politics through the compelling speeches of Demosthenes, whose eloquence and legal mastery shape the turbulent history of his time wi…
Level C1HistoricalThe Prussian TerrorAmid the turbulent clashes of 1814 France, a young boy witnesses the terrifying advance of Prussian forces and the collapse of Napoleon’s reign.
Level C1HistoricalThe Proud PrinceIn sunlit Sicily, Perpetua, the proud daughter of the feared executioner, guards her father's great sword and harbors a secret yearning beyond the quiet hilltop where she has lived…
Level C1AdventureThe Prospector: A Tale of the Crow's Nest PassAmid the vibrant autumn backdrop of Toronto, two sisters immerse themselves in university life and the thrilling world of football, where rivalries and nicknames reveal deeper stor…
Level C1HistoricalThe Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. — Volume 10: Historical WritingsDelve into the turbulent final years of Queen Anne’s reign through a detailed account blending historical analysis with personal insight.
Level C1RomanceThe Prose Marmion: A Tale of the Scottish BorderAmid the rugged Scottish Borders, Norham Castle stands as a fortress of honor and intrigue, where warriors and minstrels gather under fading daylight to welcome Lord Marmion, setti…
Level C1HistoricalThe Prophetic Pictures (From "Twice Told Tales")In a colonial American town, a mysterious European painter captures not just faces but the true souls behind them, revealing hidden passions and fears.
Level C1HistoricalThe Prodigal JudgeIn the fading shadows of a once-grand Southern estate, the last of the Quintards lies dead, leaving behind secrets wrapped in sorrow and isolation.
Level C1HistoricalThe Procurator of JudeaExiled Roman noble Aelius Lamia returns from wandering the Eastern provinces to a quiet life in Rome, only to reunite with the embittered former Procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate…
Level C1HistoricalThe PrizeOn a rugged island ruled by a proud despot, Danaë and her sister rebel against their father’s strict control and ancient customs, daring to dream of freedom and change amid a world…
Level C1AdventureThe PrivateersmanA daring privateer recounts his perilous cruise off Hispaniola, where fierce naval battles and desperate hand-to-hand combat test courage, loyalty, and survival on the high seas.
Level C1AdventureThe Prisoner of the Mill; or, Captain Hayward's "Body Guard"Amidst the tense calm before battle in the Civil War, Captain Hayward wrestles with the looming fight and the safety of his beloved sister, who chooses to face danger by his side r…
Level C1RomanceThe Princess of Ponthieu: (in) The New-York Weekly Magazine or Miscellaneous RepositoryIn a grand French court, a courageous young cavalier secretly falls for the brilliant Princess of Ponthieu, navigating love and honor amid tournaments, battles, and noble expectati…
Level C1RomanceThe Princess of ClevesAmid the dazzling grandeur of King Henry II’s court, where beauty, wit, and ambition collide, a young princess navigates the perilous intrigues of love and loyalty in a world ruled…
Level C1HistoricalThe Princess Tarakanova: A Dark Chapter of Russian HistoryIntrigue swirls around a mysterious young woman claiming royal blood amid 18th-century Russia’s turbulent politics.
Level C1RomanceThe Princess DehraAmid political exile and court intrigue, a mysterious woman rides beside a disgraced duke whose past schemes shadow their daring dreams of escape to Paris.
Level C1RomanceThe Princess De MontpensierAmidst the brutal religious wars tearing 16th-century France apart, a young heiress is forced into a politically charged marriage, while forbidden love and deadly rivalries threate…
Level C1HistoricalThe Prince of the House of DavidIn the midst of Jerusalem's most tumultuous era, young Adina chronicles her journey and the extraordinary events unfolding around her, revealing a vivid portrait of faith, history,…
Level C1FantasyThe Prince of India; Or, Why Constantinople Fell — Volume 02In a world where past and present intertwine, a compassionate princess reigns by the Bosphorus, winning hearts with her charity and grace.
Level C1FantasyThe Prince of India; Or, Why Constantinople Fell — Volume 01A mysterious merchant vessel drifts along the Syrian coast in 1395, carrying a secretive group whose voyage hints at political intrigue and ancient power struggles.
Level C1HistoricalThe Prince and the Page: A Story of the Last CrusadeIn the shadow of the Last Crusade, a noble outlaw guards a proscribed Montfort scion, weaving a tale of loyalty and danger amid ancient woods and royal intrigue.
Level C1RomanceThe Prime MinisterAmidst the turmoil of 18th-century Portugal, an ambitious minister rises to power during a time of reform, intrigue, and brutal political strife following a devastating earthquake.
Level C1RomanceThe Pride of Jennico: Being a Memoir of Captain Basil JennicoAmid a relentless Moravian storm, Captain Basil Jennico reflects on a mysterious legacy that transformed him from a modest officer into a wealthy landowner of a grand castle, thrus…
Level C1HistoricalThe Price of the Prairie: A Story of KansasAmid the vast, untamed Kansas prairies, a steadfast friendship and a hidden love unfold against the relentless challenges of pioneer life, where danger and loyalty collide under th…
Level C1HistoricalThe Price of Power: Being Chapters from the Secret History of the Imperial Court of RussiaAmidst the shadowy intrigues of Imperial Russia, a foreign attaché receives a secret summons from the Emperor himself, thrusting him into a world of conspiracies, spies, and deadly…
Level C1AdventureThe Price of Blood: An Extravaganza of New York Life in 1807In 1807 New York, a cosmopolitan city alive with European fashions and secret societies, a young, idle lawyer finds himself drawn into a world of masked revelry and unexpected intr…
Level C1AdventureThe PresentationIn the glittering courts of 1770 Versailles, a daring social gambit unfolds as the charming Comtesse Dubarry vies for acceptance among her powerful enemies.
Level C1HistoricalThe Prem sagurAfter a great war and the disappearance of Shree Krishna, Raja Pureechit rules with justice, encountering mysterious creatures and enforcing divine ordinances in a land where ancie…