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 C1HistoricalJudith Shakespeare: Her love affairs and other adventuresA young English woman strolls through idyllic Maytime fields near Stratford-upon-Avon, her outward cheerfulness masking secret intentions as she seeks a hidden meeting in the lush…
Level C1HistoricalJoyce Morrell's Harvest: The Annals of Selwick HallAt Selwick Hall, a spirited family debates recording their quiet lives, uncovering the subtle truths beneath everyday moments.
Level C1HistoricalJoy in the MorningAmid the brutal chaos of a 1918 battlefield, a wounded American soldier clings to memories of home and questions the meaning behind the sacrifice of countless young lives, revealin…
Level C1HistoricalJovinian: A Story of the Early Days of Papal RomeAmid the grandeur of early fourth-century Rome, two pontiffs plot to quell the rising Christian faith threatening the ancient gods, as grand festivals and brutal spectacles vie for…
Level C1HistoricalJoshua — CompleteAmid the harsh landscapes of Goshen and Sinai, a gripping historical romance unfolds, tracing the epic Exodus of the Hebrews intertwined with the political intrigues of ancient Egy…
Level C1HistoricalJohnson's Lives of the Poets — Volume 1Explore the intertwined lives of English poets, from the troubled Richard Savage to the pious Joseph Addison, as their stories reveal the trials, deceptions, and triumphs behind th…
Level C1HistoricalJohn de Lancaster: a novel; vol. I.In 18th-century Merionethshire, Cecilia De Lancaster dutifully manages her ancestral home and fends off the persistent, boisterous advances of Sir Owen ap Owen, whose rustic charm…
Level C1AdventureJohn Vytal: A Tale of the Lost ColonyAmid the mystery of the vanished Roanoke colony, a young man of fierce vitality navigates the turbulent Elizabethan world, where adventure and enigma intertwine on the edge of the…
Level C1AdventureJohn Splendid: The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of LornA young Highlander returns from foreign wars, dreaming of reclaiming his place in the rugged glens and lively villages of his homeland, where loyalty, love, and old rivalries simme…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Smith's Funny Adventures on a Crutch: Or The Remarkable Peregrinations of a One-legged Soldier after the WarAfter a brutal injury at Antietam leaves him one-legged, John Smith embarks on a series of humorous and remarkable adventures, navigating life and war’s aftermath with wit and resi…
Level C1HistoricalJohn March, SouthernerIn the waning days of the Civil War, a young boy rides through the Southern town of Suez with his father, Judge Powhatan March, as the community grapples with the scars of battle a…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Keble's Parishes: A History of Hursley and OtterbourneExplore the rich history of Hursley and Otterbourne, tracing ancient fossils, Roman roads, and local barrows, while uncovering the lives of notable figures and the evolution of chu…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Inglesant: A Romance (Volume 2 of 2)An Englishman’s journey through Renaissance Italy immerses him in the beauty of art, music, and the intricate politics of the Papal court, where power, intrigue, and passion intert…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Inglesant: A Romance (Volume 1 of 2)In turbulent 17th-century England, a young Oxford scholar becomes entangled in secret missions, religious intrigue, and the complex loyalties surrounding King Charles I and the Cat…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Inglefield's Thanksgiving: (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")On Thanksgiving night, a grieving blacksmith welcomes the unexpected return of his estranged daughter, Prudence, stirring deep family tensions and unspoken sorrows by the fireside.
Level C1HistoricalJohn Gutenberg, First Master Printer: His Acts and Most Remarkable Discourses and his DeathStep into 15th-century Mainz as the union of master printer John Fust’s daughter and his partner Peter Schoeffer unfolds against the dawn of the printing revolution, where artistry…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Ermine of the YellowstoneIn the bustling gold rush town of Alder Gulch, the rugged life of miners and fortune seekers unfolds against a backdrop of dusty streets and wild stories.
Level C1HistoricalJohn EnderbyIn 17th-century Lincolnshire, John Enderby defies King Charles’ attempt to knight him, refusing to sacrifice his estate to royal taxes.
Level C1HistoricalJohn Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 2: Religious and Scriptural: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, ClassifiedExplore the powerful grip of the Scottish church in the last century, revealing its vast landholdings, political influence, and the stark contrast between the clergy’s corrupt live…
Level C1RomanceJohn Burnet of Barns: A RomanceA young boy escapes his strict tutor to fish in the sun-scorched woods of Tweed, embarking on a journey through stirring times and strange scenes that reveal the trials and triumph…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Ames, Native Commissioner: A Romance of the Matabele RisingAmid rising tensions in a Matabele kraal, a clash brews between native chiefs and the colonial police enforcing government orders, sparking fierce resentment and simmering conflict…
Level C1RomanceJoan, the CurateAmidst the wild marsh coast plagued by smugglers and wreckers, a courageous curate’s daughter races against time to aid a wounded sailor from a daring revenue cutter, braving tempe…
Level C1RomanceJoan of the Sword HandIn a rugged hillland ruled by the proud young Duchess Joan, political intrigue and soldierly camaraderie intertwine as captains Jorian and Boris navigate loyalty, love, and the wei…
Level C1HistoricalJoan of Arc: A Play in Five ActsA mysterious young peasant woman claims divine guidance to rally France’s faltering hopes during the Hundred Years’ War, challenging court intrigues and skeptical nobles as she see…
Level C1MysteryJesse James' Desperate Game; Or, The Robbery of the Ste. Genevieve BankIn a lively Missouri spring town where danger lurks beneath carefree revelry, three sharply dressed outlaws led by Jesse James blend into the crowd, plotting a daring $10,000 bank…
Level C1HistoricalJemmy Stubbins, or the Nailer Boy: Illustrations of the Law of KindnessA young boy is forced into the harsh labor of nail-making from childhood, his growth stunted by poverty and toil.
Level C1RomanceJanice Meredith: A Story of the American RevolutionAmid the strict discipline of colonial life, spirited Janice Meredith navigates friendship, rebellion, and the stirrings of young love during the turbulent days of the American Rev…
Level C1HistoricalJanet's Love and ServiceIn the quiet village of Clayton, a restless night unfolds as Janet tends to ailing family members, while young Graeme wrestles with fears and dreams by the firelight—where love, du…
Level C1HistoricalJane ShoreAmid the intrigues of the royal court, Jane Shore navigates power, loyalty, and betrayal as she confronts the machinations of dukes and nobles.
Level C1RomanceJane Seton; or, The King's Advocate: A Scottish Historical RomanceAmid 16th-century Scotland’s turbulent politics and fierce clans, a passionate romance unfolds involving Jane Seton and the King's Advocate, set against a backdrop of royal intrigu…
Level C1HistoricalJane Austen's sailor brothersDelve into the lives of Jane Austen’s sailor brothers, whose naval adventures and family bonds echo through history.
Level C1RomanceJane Austen and her worksExplore the remarkable life and works of a woman who crafted timeless tales of love, society, and character with wit and insight before the age of twenty-three, illuminating human…
Level C1HistoricalJane Austen and Her TimesExplore the vibrant world that shaped a singular literary genius, unveiling the social customs, influential figures, and historic backdrop of late 18th-century England where wit an…
Level C1HistoricalJane Austen and Her Country-house ComedyExplore the enduring charm of Jane Austen's world, where keen satire and tranquil domestic life reveal timeless insights into human nature and society.
Level C1HistoricalJames Russell Lowell, A Biography; vol 2/2Dive into the turbulent era leading up to the American Civil War through the lens of a literary and political visionary shaping the Atlantic Monthly’s bold stance on freedom, law,…
Level C1AdventureJames Braithwaite, the Supercargo: The Story of his Adventures Ashore and AfloatAmid the bustling naval preparations at Portsmouth, an eager supercargo embarks on the merchant ship Barbara, navigating the chaos of press-gangs, spirited sailors, and the thrill…
Level C1HistoricalJames BoswellExplore the intricate lineage and proud heritage of James Boswell, tracing his Norman roots and noble connections that shaped the man behind the famous Life of Johnson.
Level C1HistoricalJacques Bonneval; Or, The Days of the DragonnadesAmid the bustling Fair of Beaucaire in 1685, a young man navigates family ties, first loves, and looming trials in a world where faith and festivity collide.
Level C1AdventureJacob FaithfulBorn on a Thames lighter to a pipe-smoking father and a gin-loving mother, young Jacob faces early loss and hardship.
Level C1HistoricalJackanapes, Daddy Darwin's Dovecot and Other StoriesAmid the quaint village of Goose Green, where age-old tales and local lore intertwine, residents face the turmoil of war and strange visitors, all while children fear the ominous B…
Level C1AdventureJack at Sea: All Work and No Play Made Him a Dull BoyA delicate, bookish boy struggles to meet his outdoorsy father's expectations of health and vigor, sparking a journey from quiet study to adventures in nature, collecting insects a…
Level C1AdventureJack Tier; Or, The Florida ReefA determined captain prepares his brigantine, the Molly Swash, for a daring voyage beyond Manhattan’s quiet docks, setting the stage for a gripping adventure amid looming conflict…
Level C1MysteryJack Sheppard: A RomanceIn the grim streets of early 18th-century London, a destitute widow and her infant son struggle to survive after the execution of her notorious husband.
Level C1AdventureIvar the Viking: A romantic history based upon authentic facts of the third and fourth centuriesStep into the fierce and vivid world of Norse chiefs as a young Viking rises through rites, battles, and voyages to shape history during the twilight of Rome’s power.
Level C1RomanceIvanhoe: A RomanceAmidst the tension between Saxons and Normans during Richard I’s reign, a tale unfolds of chivalry, romance, and the struggle for power, revealing a vivid clash of cultures and loy…
Level C1HistoricalIt Was Marlowe: A Story of the Secret of Three CenturiesAmid swirling rumors about Christopher Marlowe's mysterious death, an investigation reveals striking similarities between his works and Shakespeare's plays, challenging accepted au…
Level C1HistoricalIt Might Have Been: The Story of the Gunpowder PlotAmidst the shadow of the Gunpowder Plot, a young woman named Lettice embarks on a journey filled with family ties, faith, and the uncertain promise of new beginnings in a turbulent…
Level C1HistoricalIsrael Potter: His Fifty Years of ExileA loyal soldier of Bunker Hill faces fifty years of exile and hardship, his story pieced together from fading memories and tattered pages.