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
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Level C1AdventureThe Prairie-BirdJourney to the untamed North-west Territory at the close of the 18th century, where fertile lands meet the diverse cultures of Native tribes and frontier settlers, revealing a vivi…
Level C1AdventureThe Prairie Flower: A Tale of the Indian BorderAmid the vast, untamed wilderness along the mighty Mississippi, three hunters—a seasoned half-breed, a daring French nobleman, and their companion—navigate the dangers and mysterie…
Level C1AdventureThe Prairie ChiefAmidst the vast North American prairies, Whitewing, a thoughtful and courageous Red Indian, challenges tribal norms with his unique beliefs and gentle nature.
Level C1AdventureThe PrairieA solitary wanderer crosses the vast, untamed Western prairies, encountering Native tribes and the wild beauty of a boundless American frontier.
Level C1AdventureThe Powder MonkeyA weary orphan boy meets a gruff but kind-hearted seaman who offers shelter and food, sparking an adventurous bond on the edge of the sea.
Level C1RomanceThe Potter and the Clay: A Romance of TodayA spirited young girl defies expectations and hides away her burdens as she navigates childhood’s contradictions, friendship, and the quiet struggles beneath a tempestuous surface…
Level C1FantasyThe Poniard's Hilt; Or, Karadeucq and Ronan. A Tale of Bagauders and VagresIn a turbulent era between Clovis and Charlemagne, follow the lives of Karadeucq, Ronan, and their kin as they navigate feudal struggles, ancient legacies, and fierce resistance in…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pomp of YesterdayA mysterious man with no past arrives unexpectedly in Plymouth, haunted by memories and the ravages of war.
Level C1HistoricalThe Polity of the Athenians and the LacedaemoniansExplore the intricate balance of power in Athenian democracy, where the common people's voice shapes the state, while the elite guard military command—revealing how justice and fre…
Level C1HistoricalThe Political Songs of England: From the Reign of John to That of Edward IIDive into the turbulent political landscape of medieval England through stirring songs that capture the voices of oppressed people, bold satirists, and shifting powers from King Jo…
Level C1HistoricalThe Point Of Honor: A Military TaleTwo cavalry lieutenants, Feraud and D'Hubert, engage in a relentless private duel throughout the turmoil of Napoleon’s wars, blending military honor with personal obsession in a ta…
Level C1HistoricalThe PoetasterFollow the fierce rise of a determined poet and playwright navigating the turbulent world of Elizabethan England, where ambition, rivalry, and survival shape the path from poverty…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pocket Bible; or, Christian the Printer: A Tale of the Sixteenth CenturyIn 16th-century Paris, amid rising crime and social upheaval, a printer named Christian navigates the turbulent dawn of the Reformation, where old feudal orders clash with emerging…
Level C1AdventureThe Pobratim: A Slav NovelIn a Balkan town stirred by political shifts, two men embark on a secret mission to Cettinje, entangling friendship, duty, and an unexpected marriage that challenges tradition and…
Level C1AdventureThe Plowshare and the Sword: A Tale of Old QuebecIn 1637 Quebec, a fortress city teeters between fragile peace and looming war as French settlers, soldiers, and cunning priests navigate alliances with natives and rival European p…
Level C1HistoricalThe Plow-WomanOn the vast Dakota prairie, a determined young woman named Dallas wrestles with the land, guiding her aging mules through the hard work of tilling new soil to prepare for winter, w…
Level C1HistoricalThe Plague of Athens, which hapned in the second year of the Peloponnesian Warre: First described in Greek by Thucydides; then in Latin by Lucretius. Now attempted in EnglishAs Athens faces invasion during the Peloponnesian War, a devastating plague strikes the city, baffling doctors and overwhelming the population.
Level C1AdventureThe Pirates of the Prairies: Adventures in the American DesertIn the vast, untamed prairies of the American desert, wild landscapes teem with exotic flora and fierce creatures, while fearless Native warriors command the land.
Level C1AdventureThe Pirate, and The Three CuttersSet sail into a vivid world where pirates are neither mere villains nor romantic heroes, but complex figures navigating loyalty, survival, and shifting allegiances on the high seas…
Level C1AdventureThe Pirate of the Mediterranean: A Tale of the SeaAmidst the fortified harbors and bustling streets of Valetta, Malta, a tale unfolds of naval intrigue, diverse cultures, and the enduring struggle to protect this Mediterranean str…
Level C1AdventureThe Pirate Slaver: A Story of the West African CoastA swift British brig sets sail along the West African coast in 1840, hunting elusive slave ships hidden in the treacherous Congo River.
Level C1AdventureThe Pirate City: An Algerine TaleA spirited Sicilian youth dreams of a sailor’s life, but family duty and expectations pull him toward the Church.
Level C1RomanceThe PirateAmid the rugged beauty of the Orkney Isles, a tale unfolds where history, legend, and romance intertwine, as a mysterious pirate’s presence stirs passion and intrigue among islande…
Level C1AdventureThe Pioneers; Or, The Sources of the SusquehannaIn the rugged wilderness at the source of the Susquehanna River, settlers forge a new community amid dense forests and untamed waters, navigating the challenges of frontier life an…
Level C1AdventureThe PioneersIn the wild Canadian wilderness, a rugged pioneer and his son confront the challenges of uncharted lands, driven by a restless spirit to explore and discover the unknown.
Level C1AdventureThe Pilot: A Tale of the SeaAmidst the vast and unpredictable sea, a skilled pilot navigates treacherous waters with unmatched expertise, revealing the true life and trials of sailors beyond romance and storm…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pillars of the House; Or, Under Wode, Under Rode, Vol. 2 (of 2)In a world weighed down by family duty and personal sacrifice, Wilmet and Alda navigate love, illness, and restless longing amid the shifting fortunes of the Underwood household.
Level C1HistoricalThe Pillars of the House; Or, Under Wode, Under Rode, Vol. 1 (of 2)In a modest English household, young Felix Underwood receives a long-awaited letter that promises a rare treat for his struggling family, setting the stage for a poignant tale of h…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pillar of Fire; or, Israel in BondageIn a time when Egypt's native kings oppress the growing children of Israel, a young Phoenician prince embarks on a journey to the powerful Egyptian court, witnessing firsthand the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pilgrims of New England: A Tale of the Early American SettlersAmidst barren shores and stormy seas, a band of Puritan exiles arrive in New England, driven by faith and hope but soon confronted by harsh realities and internal conflicts.
Level C1HistoricalThe Pilgrim, and the American of Today—(1892)On a cold December night, a small band of Pilgrims anchor on a vast, unknown continent, facing a wild wilderness and uncertain future.
Level C1HistoricalThe Pilgrim's Shell; Or, Fergan the Quarryman: A Tale from the Feudal TimesIn a war-torn feudal village, Fergan the quarryman and a cast of vivid characters navigate harsh class struggles and the rise of a new social order, revealing the brutal realities…
Level C1RomanceThe Pilgrim of Castile; or, El Pelegrino in Su PatriaAfter surviving a shipwreck near Barcelona, a mysterious pilgrim drifts into a village caught in the midst of armed conflict, where danger and intrigue intertwine with unexpected a…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pigeon PieIn a sunlit 1651 dining hall, children play amidst the shadow of war, dreaming of knights and kings while servants fret over the harsh realities of conflict.
Level C1HistoricalThe Pictorial Press: Its Origin and ProgressExplore the fascinating evolution of illustrated news, from early woodcuts and broadsides to the rise of pictorial newspapers amid political upheaval and social change, revealing h…
Level C1HistoricalThe Piccolomini: A PlayAmid the turbulent Thirty Years' War, a web of ambition, loyalty, and intrigue unfolds in the imperial camp of Wallenstein, where generals and nobles navigate shifting alliances an…
Level C1HistoricalThe Philadelphia Magazines and their Contributors 1741-1850Explore the rich evolution of Philadelphia's literary scene through its magazines, revealing the city's pivotal role in American culture, early publishing milestones, and the vibra…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pharaoh and the Priest: An Historical Novel of Ancient EgyptIn ancient Egypt, the delicate balance between the ruling pharaohs and the powerful priesthood shapes a civilization built on fertile land and monumental achievements—until rivalry…
Level C1FantasyThe Phantom ShipIn a decaying Dutch cottage near the Scheldt, mysterious forces stir as Philip Vanderdecken confronts a legendary cursed voyage.
Level C1AdventureThe Phantom Rider; or The Giant Chief's Fate: A tale of the old Dahcotah countryIn the wild North-west, a courageous settler’s daughter faces a deadly vow from a fierce Indian warrior determined to claim her as his bride, while her father prepares to defend th…
Level C1RomanceThe Phantom Regiment; or, Stories of "Ours"Amid the rugged backdrop of Gibraltar and Andalusia, a British officer reflects on a fleeting romance with the enchanting Paulina, whose departure sets the stage for tales of love,…
Level C1AdventureThe Perils of Certain English PrisonersA private in the Royal Marines aboard the sloop Christopher Columbus navigates the treacherous Caribbean waters near the mysterious Island of Silver-Store, a crucial English outpos…
Level C1HistoricalThe Perfect TributeAs the nation mourns the fallen at Gettysburg, a weary President wrestles with his humble words to deliver a heartfelt speech that must rise above polished oratory and speak true t…
Level C1AdventureThe Perambulations of a Bee and a Butterfly,: In which are delineated those smaller traits of character which escape the observation of larger spectators.A young Bee, eager to explore beyond the hive, befriends a Butterfly as they navigate the challenges and vanities of springtime adventures.
Level C1HistoricalThe People for Whom Shakespeare WroteStep into the turbulent reigns of Elizabeth and James, where knights flourish, portents and plagues darken London, and the vibrant world of Shakespeare’s contemporaries unfolds ami…
Level C1HistoricalThe Penance of Magdalena and Other Tales of the California MissionsIn the shadow of California's grand missions, a young native boy named Te-filo discovers a hidden talent for art that could transform the sacred walls—if he can navigate the strict…
Level C1AdventureThe Peddler Spy; or, Dutchmen and Yankees. A Tale of the Capture of Good HopeIn a tense colonial frontier, sharp-witted Yankees clash with steadfast Dutch settlers at the House of Good Hope, where cunning deals and fierce rivalry set the stage for a daring…
Level C1HistoricalThe Peasant and the PrinceIn 18th-century France, a young peasant named Charles strives to build a humble hut in the woods to marry his beloved Marie, battling harsh taxes and crushing poverty that threaten…