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.
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- books
Level C1HistoricalShadows of the StageStep into the world of the Elizabethan stage through the eyes of John Lowin, an actor who witnessed Shakespeare's glory days and the theatre's downfall under Cromwell.
Level C1HistoricalShadows of ShastaIn the rugged Sierras, Native American tribes face brutal displacement and broken promises from the government, as brave leaders struggle to preserve their people and homeland agai…
Level C1HistoricalSeven and nine years among the Camanches and ApachesCaptured by the Camanches and Apaches, a family’s journey westward unfolds through harrowing trials and captivity, revealing the harsh realities behind frontier legends and the res…
Level C1HistoricalSevastopolAmid the fog and frost of Sevastopol, the city teems with soldiers, sailors, and civilians caught in the relentless rhythms of war.
Level C1HistoricalServian Popular PoetryExplore the rich history and soul of Servia through its vibrant popular poetry, capturing tales of ancient kingdoms, legendary battles, and the enduring spirit of a people shaped b…
Level C1RomanceServants of Sin: A RomanceIn snowy Paris, a brooding nobleman wrestles with bitter family betrayals and a complicated romance as letters from a hopeful lover stir memories of a future that may never come to…
Level C1HistoricalSerapis — CompleteAmid the restless nights of 391 Alexandria, a weary family of wandering singers seeks refuge in a city under uneasy Roman watch, where monks gather and mysterious rituals unfold be…
Level C1HistoricalSentimental Education; Or, The History of a Young Man. Volume 2A young man’s passion and ambition collide in a world of art, love, and social intrigue as he navigates duels, shifting alliances, and the pursuit of wealth and status in turbulent…
Level C1AdventureSemiramis: A Tale of Battle and of LoveAmidst the siege of the impregnable city of Zariaspa, a mighty king wrestles with defeat, while a fierce queen's ambition and passion ignite a legendary tale of love, war, and the…
Level C1HistoricalSelections from Erasmus: Principally from his EpistlesDiscover intimate glimpses of Renaissance life through the lively letters and reflections of a brilliant scholar, who reveals the personalities and politics shaping England and Eur…
Level C1HistoricalSelected Essays of Plutarch, Vol. II.Explore a rich collection of philosophical dialogues and treatises that delve into morality, superstition, and the complexities of human nature, guided by thoughtful commentary and…
Level C1HistoricalSejanus: His FallIn the volatile world of Roman politics, an ambitious man navigates power, betrayal, and downfall.
Level C1HistoricalSeeing and HearingExperience the grandeur and solemnity of a royal coronation, where ancient rites blend with the profound covenant between king and people, embodying centuries of history, faith, an…
Level C1HistoricalSecret Service: Being the Happenings of a Night in Richmond in the Spring of 1865In the tense spring of 1865 Richmond, amid the distant thunder of cannon and the quiet agony inside a Colonial house, women tend to war’s wounded while a mysterious arrival stirs t…
Level C1HistoricalSecret History of To-day: Being Revelations of a Diplomatic SpyA master spy with unparalleled linguistic skills navigates the shadowy world of international intrigue, influencing historic events and royal courts while guarding explosive secret…
Level C1RomanceSecond to None: A Military Romance, Volume 3 (of 3)Amidst the clashing regiments and shifting alliances of 18th-century Europe, a resolute British cavalry officer leads his fearless Scots Greys into battle against the formidable Du…
Level C1RomanceSecond to None: A Military Romance, Volume 2 (of 3)Amidst the siege of St.
Level C1RomanceSecond to None: A Military Romance, Volume 1 (of 3)A young heir, disinherited and penniless, faces a bleak future beneath the shadow of his family's harsh legacy.
Level C1HistoricalSebastopolAmid the siege of Sebastopol, explore the raw truths of human nature and the quiet heroism of self-denial in the face of war’s chaos.
Level C1AdventureSea-dogs all!A fierce storm batters a riverside village, where a mysterious man in black watches with dark intent, while a rugged sailor seeks him through the wild landscape—whispers of danger…
Level C1HistoricalScottish chapbook literatureExplore the vibrant world of Scottish chapbooks, where traveling publishers spread history, humor, and theology among the common folk over three centuries, revealing a rich cultura…
Level C1RomanceScotch marriages, vol. 1Two childhood friends, a young laird and his tenant, grow up side by side in rural Scotland, their lives intertwined by shared games, local traditions, and the rhythms of country l…
Level C1HistoricalSchool-days in 1800Step back to 1800 through the vivid memories of a 90-year-old grandmother, who recounts lessons in both practical skills and traditional schooling, revealing education and daily li…
Level C1HistoricalScenes in the West; or, The Sunday-School and TemperanceA weary missionary arrives at a harsh settler’s doorstep seeking shelter and kindness but faces cold rejection, revealing a community divided over faith, temperance, and compassion…
Level C1RomanceScaramouche: A Romance of the French RevolutionIn revolutionary France, the sharp-witted Andre-Louis Moreau navigates social injustice and political turmoil, challenging tyranny with his biting intellect and fearless spirit.
Level C1HistoricalSatire in the Victorian novelExplore the complex world of Victorian satire as it unfolds through the English novel, revealing a society caught between earnest reform and rigid convention, where humor and criti…
Level C1HistoricalSatanstoe; Or, the Littlepage Manuscripts. A Tale of the ColonyIn a rapidly changing colonial New York, personal passions and societal upheavals intertwine as the Littlepage family navigates the complex tensions of anti-rentism and emerging Am…
Level C1RomanceSaronia: A Romance of Ancient EphesusIn ancient Ephesus, a dignified slave named Saronia harbors a fierce spirit beneath her quiet exterior, caught between the splendor of her mistress’s home and the yearning for free…
Level C1RomanceSarita, the CarlistCaught in a tangled web of family ambition and romantic preference, a reluctant man is sent to Madrid as a diplomatic attaché while a wealthy widow’s heart defies his brother’s cal…
Level C1AdventureSarchedon: A Legend of the Great QueenIn the ancient deserts between the Tigris and Euphrates, a mighty lion faces death under the shadow of Babylon’s towering splendor, while a royal hunt led by a great queen unfolds—…
Level C1HistoricalSaragossa: A Story of Spanish ValorAmid Spain’s struggle against Napoleon’s forces, the city of Saragossa stands as a symbol of fierce resistance and patriotism, where citizens rally with unyielding valor in a despe…
Level C1HistoricalSaracinescaIn 1865 Rome stands timeless, a city caught between ancient grandeur and modern change, where French soldiers mingle with Papal guards beneath the watchful gaze of Pope Pius IX.
Level C1HistoricalSapphoExplore the vibrant world of ancient Lesbos, where a flourishing culture shapes the life and lyric poetry of Sappho.
Level C1HistoricalSan kuo; or, Romance of the three kingdoms (volume 1 of 2)Amid the decline of the Han dynasty, sworn brothers Liu Pei, Kuan Yü, and Chang Fei unite to uphold their crumbling empire, sparking fierce battles and alliances that shape the tur…
Level C1HistoricalSamboe; or, The African BoyAn African boy’s journey unfolds against the brutal backdrop of the slave trade, revealing the harrowing realities of bondage and the enduring hope for freedom amid cruelty and opp…
Level C1AdventureSamba: A Story of the Rubber Slaves of the CongoIn the heart of the Congo, young Samba faces the brutal reality of the rubber trade that enslaves his people and ravages the land.
Level C1AdventureSalute to AdventurersIn a turbulent 1685 Scotland, a young man leaves his troubled home and secretive family life to pursue education in Edinburgh, embarking on a journey filled with political strife,…
Level C1HistoricalSally DowsAmid the chaos of a fierce Civil War battle, a lone artillery unit holds its ground against relentless assaults, with the eerie charge of a riderless horse foreshadowing the grim t…
Level C1HistoricalSalammboAmidst the opulent gardens of Hamilcar's palace, soldiers from diverse nations gather to feast and revel, their cultures clashing and blending under the Mediterranean sun.
Level C1HistoricalSaint Patrick: 1887In a gritty urban neighborhood where dance halls and missions collide, a Saint Patrick's Day festival emerges as a beacon of hope and unity amid tension, temptation, and cultural d…
Level C1HistoricalSaint JoanA fiercely determined village girl claims divine guidance to lead France against its enemies, challenging kings, generals, and churchmen alike with her unyielding spirit and revolu…
Level C1AdventureSaint Bartholomew's Eve: A Tale of the Huguenot WarsAmid the brutal religious wars of 16th-century France, a Huguenot landowner flees persecution and begins anew with fellow refugees in England.
Level C1AdventureSailor Jack, the TraderCaught between duty and fear, Tom Randolph faces conscription amid the turmoil of the Civil War, struggling to protect his fellow Home Guards from harsh Confederate demands while g…
Level C1RomanceSaga of Halfred the Sigskald: A Northern Tale of the Tenth CenturyIn a land where elves and legends mingle, Halfred, a fierce Viking and unmatched skald, sets sail on his enchanted ship, the Singing Swan, to win glory through battles and song acr…
Level C1HistoricalSac-Au-Dos: 1907A young man, freshly graduated and disillusioned with law, finds himself conscripted into the chaotic French army during the Franco-Prussian War, thrust into the raw confusion and…
Level C1HistoricalRussian literatureExplore the vibrant world of 19th-century Russian literature, where poetry, novels, and drama intertwine with social and political ideals, revealing the nation's unique voice amid…
Level C1AdventureRupert of Hentzau: From The Memoirs of Fritz Von Tarlenheim: Sequel to The Prisoner of ZendaIn a kingdom still shadowed by past conspiracies, a cunning exile plots to reclaim his lost power through espionage and revenge, threatening the fragile peace and the secrets that…
Level C1AdventureRunnymede and Lincoln FairAmid the turbulent times of 13th-century England, Oliver Icingla, descendant of Saxon chiefs, navigates the fierce political struggles surrounding Magna Carta, revealing the birth…