Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
2,209 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 Motion pictures, 1940-1949, Mother of Pearl and Moscow: A Story of the French Invasion of 1812. 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.
- 2,209
- books
Level C1HistoricalThe Blacksmith's Hammer; or, The Peasant Code: A Tale of the Grand MonarchAmid the tempestuous seas of 17th-century France, a determined sailor rises from humble peasant roots to captain his own ship, weaving a tale of resilience, family legacy, and the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black-Sealed Letter: Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney.In foggy 1869 London, the Charlston family embodies industrious respectability amidst a city teeming with both wealth and squalor.
Level C1HistoricalThe Black Troopers, and other storiesIn the rugged Australian frontier of 1849, tensions rise as a wounded aboriginal man and a notorious outlaw named Bobby Peel bring to light the fierce and brutal conflicts between…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black Prophet: A Tale Of Irish Famine: Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of: William Carleton, Volume ThreeIn a bleak Irish glen shadowed by famine and mystery, a young woman awaits news that could change her fate amid whispers of prophecy, murder, and survival.
Level C1MysteryThe Black Police: A Story of Modern AustraliaIn the bustling streets of Auckland, a young pioneer is drawn into the mysterious death of an explorer in Queensland, setting him on a path through Australia's shadowy frontier whe…
Level C1AdventureThe Black GalleyAmidst a relentless 32-year war on the stormy Scheldt River in 1599, Spanish soldiers at Fort Liefkenhoek brace for the feared approach of the mysterious and deadly Black Galley, a…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black Feather: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899In the bustling fur trade of Fort Mackinac, Charle' Charette, a formidable voyageur adorned with a black feather, faces heartbreak as his spirited wife 'Tite Laboise turns away fro…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black Eagle; or, TiconderogaA disillusioned patriot, exiled in the American wilderness, wrestles with betrayal, ingratitude, and the harsh realities of human nature, while striving to build a new life for him…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black DwarfAmid the bustling crossroads of Scotland, a schoolmaster recounts tales from a lively inn, revealing the hidden lives and secrets of travelers and locals alike.
Level C1RomanceThe Black DouglasIn 15th-century Scotland, a young armourer’s son wrestles with his future, torn between the forge and the battlefield, while family ties and the promise of romance intertwine benea…
Level C1RomanceThe Black CrossIn the icy splendor of St.
Level C1RomanceThe Black ColonelIn the shadowed Highlands, a mysterious Black Colonel and a lone traveler cross paths on a perilous night, their meeting sparking a tale of gallantry, intrigue, and the restless sp…
Level C1AdventureThe Black Box: A Tale of Monmouth's RebellionA lone survivor of a shipwreck finds himself worshipped as a god by island savages, wielding strange power amid danger and deception.
Level C1AdventureThe Black BarTwo young naval officers patrol the scorching African coast aboard HMS Nautilus, smuggling aboard an unexpected passenger—a chimpanzee—while chasing elusive slave traders in a high…
Level C1AdventureThe Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two RosesIn a turbulent England torn by the Wars of the Roses, young Richard Shelton must navigate shifting loyalties and impending battle as his guardian’s allegiance wavers and the call t…
Level C1AdventureThe Big OtterTwo hardy friends embark on a daring winter expedition through the frozen wilderness, braving forty-below-zero temperatures and deep snow to explore untamed backwoods and test thei…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bible in Spain: Or, the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments of an Englishman, in an Attempt to Circulate the Scriptures in the PeninsulaAn English missionary embarks on a daring journey through Spain and Portugal to circulate the Scriptures, encountering diverse people, perilous adventures, and unexpected imprisonm…![Cover of The Bible in Spain, Vol. 2 [of 2]: Or, the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments of an Englishman in an Attempt to Circulate the Scriptures in the Peninsula by George Borrow](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeu008e1ofc73dh98j0.webp)
Level C1HistoricalThe Bible in Spain, Vol. 2 [of 2]: Or, the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments of an Englishman in an Attempt to Circulate the Scriptures in the PeninsulaAn Englishman ventures across Spain, facing rugged paths, hostile authorities, and prison, all in a daring mission to distribute the Scriptures.![Cover of The Bible in Spain, Vol. 1 [of 2]: Or, the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments of an Englishman in an Attempt to Circulate the Scriptures in the Peninsula by George Borrow](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daetunge1ofc73dh98bg.webp)
Level C1HistoricalThe Bible in Spain, Vol. 1 [of 2]: Or, the Journeys, Adventures, and Imprisonments of an Englishman in an Attempt to Circulate the Scriptures in the PeninsulaAn English agent embarks on a daring mission to print and distribute the Bible across 19th-century Spain, encountering vibrant cultures, unexpected adventures, and deep-rooted chal…
Level C1HistoricalThe Betrothed: From the Italian of Alessandro ManzoniIn a world where truth is veiled by pride and darkness, a tale unfolds exploring the clash between idealism and harsh reality.
Level C1HistoricalThe BetrothedIn a Scottish borderland marked by ancient legends and restless Crusaders, a returning knight discovers his home transformed by mysterious new blood and secrets tied to the enchant…
Level C1HistoricalThe Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to prose. Volume II (of X) - RomeExplore the disciplined life of a Roman farm owner who oversees every detail—from crop yields to slave management—balancing efficiency, economy, and tradition in the pursuit of pro…
Level C1HistoricalThe Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to prose. Volume I (of X) - GreeceExplore the rich legacy of Greek prose from 484 B.
Level C1HistoricalThe Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VII (of X)—Continental Europe IExplore profound reflections on empire, virtue, and true happiness through the writings of influential thinkers like St.
Level C1RomanceThe Belle of Bowling GreenIn a city shadowed by impending war, the radiant Sapphira Bloommaert navigates the tensions of her aristocratic life near New York’s historic Bowling Green, where love, duty, and d…
Level C1HistoricalThe Beginning of the Sea Story of Australia: 1901Discover the untold maritime origins of Australia, where British sailors and naval governors braved unknown coasts, harsh conditions, and political neglect to lay the foundation of…
Level C1AdventureThe Battle of the Strong: A Romance of Two Kingdoms — CompleteAmidst the tightly woven traditions of the Channel Island of Jersey, a gripping romance unfolds, where characters struggle against the weight of centuries-old customs, sparking a f…
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of TalaveraAmid the ancient city of Talavera, battered by centuries of war, a fierce battle unfolds between vastly outnumbered British and Spanish forces against the elite French army.
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of Hexham; or, Days of Old: a play in three actsAmid the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses, a disguised heroine braves perilous roads and uncertain loyalties to reach the camp of Henry VI.
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of Bunkers-HillAmid the turmoil of the American Revolution, this dramatic play captures the fierce spirit and heroic struggle of patriots during the Battle of Bunker's Hill, offering a vivid glim…
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle GroundIn a Southern landscape shadowed by slavery and change, children navigate innocence and harsh realities—where whispers of conjuring, lost lives, and fading plantations stir the air…
Level C1HistoricalThe Battaile of AgincourtAmidst the echoes of England’s storied past, this epic poem vividly recounts the fierce and fateful Battle of Agincourt, capturing the valor and national pride that shaped a pivota…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bath Keepers; Or, Paris in Those Days, v.1: (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VII)In 1634 Paris, where superstition rules and nightly dangers lurk in darkened streets, a young man navigates a city where duels, thieves, and rigid social codes shape every encounte…
Level C1RomanceThe Bath ComedyIn the elegant Georgian city of Bath, where wit, gallantry, and high society collide, a cast of charming characters navigate love, scandal, and social intrigue amid the refined ple…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bastonnais: Tale of the American Invasion of Canada in 1775-76As American forces advance through Canada in 1775, young militia officer Roderick Hardinge stands vigilant atop Quebec’s citadel, determined to defend the city and prove his comrad…
Level C1HistoricalThe Barber of ParisIn a rain-soaked, crime-ridden Paris of 1632, a mysterious barber returns home under the shadow of danger and intrigue.
Level C1RomanceThe Banished: A Swabian Historical TaleIn sixteenth-century Swabia, a stirring historical tale unfolds amid vivid national customs and dramatic events, inviting readers to explore a land of picturesque beauty and deep-r…
Level C1RomanceThe Bandolero; Or, A Marriage among the MountainsIn a city ruled by corrupt clergy and shadowed by majestic mountains, weary invaders arrive expecting battle but find a complex world of intrigue and forbidden romance.
Level C1HistoricalThe BalladistsExplore the mysterious origins and timeless passion of Scottish ballads, where nameless poets capture fateful love and sorrow beneath open skies, weaving songs that echo through ge…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ballad of the White HorseA legendary King Alfred faces the dark forces threatening his land, blending myth and history in a stirring tale of courage, faith, and the enduring power of tradition amidst the c…
Level C1RomanceThe Bakhtyār Nāma: A Persian RomanceDive into the captivating world of Prince Bakhtyār, where grounded tales of love and adventure unfold without the usual magic and extravagance of Eastern romances.
Level C1HistoricalThe Babylonian Story of the Deluge as Told by Assyrian Tablets from Nineveh: The Discovery of the Tablets at Nineveh by Layard, Rassam and SmithUnearth the lost library of the Temple of Nebo at Nineveh, revealed through the excavation of ancient Assyrian tablets that shed light on a civilization's history, culture, and the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Babees' Book: Medieval Manners for the Young: Done into Modern EnglishExplore the intricate codes of medieval English manners, customs, and social rituals, revealing the origins of chivalry and courtesy through vivid treatises translated into modern…
Level C1AdventureThe Aztec Treasure-HouseA dedicated scholar embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind ancient Aztec mysteries, facing danger and revolution as he seeks the legendary treasure hidden deep w…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ayenbite of Inwyt (Remorse of Conscience): A Translation of Parts into Modern EnglishA medieval guide reveals the Ten Commandments' spiritual meaning and the path to repentance, urging readers to cleanse their conscience and live in harmony with divine law.
Level C1HistoricalThe Autobiography of a Journalist, Volume IIAmid a cholera outbreak and strict quarantines, a determined consul navigates political intrigue and local tyranny in Crete, confronting a ruthless pasha while asserting justice in…
Level C1HistoricalThe Attic theatreExplore the rich history of ancient Athenian drama through the lens of its theatrical practice, uncovering insights from inscriptions, ruins, and art that reveal the cultural and p…
Level C1HistoricalThe Attack on the Mill, and Other Sketches of WarAmid the grim realities of war, vivid sketches reveal moments of haunting terror, raw humanity, and the clash between youthful idealism and harsh survival.