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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Level C1HistoricalIn Kings' BywaysA humble clerk, newly married and hopeful, finds his life shattered when a grave error at the Bishop of Beauvais’ court turns him into a target of cruel punishment and scorn.
Level C1HistoricalIn Kedar's TentsAmid the stormy backdrop of 1838 England, a radical gentleman and determined miners join a forbidden Chartist meeting, where rising unrest threatens to ignite violent clashes betwe…
Level C1AdventureIn Freedom's Cause : A Story of Wallace and BruceIn a wild Scottish valley torn by feuds and shifting power, young Archie Forbes grows up under his mother's cautious care, learning to navigate the dangers that threaten their ance…
Level C1AdventureIn Doublet and Hose: A Story for GirlsIn the heart of the ancient New Forest, spirited Francis Stafford defies expectations with her daring hunts and sharp wit, challenging the old ways while navigating the perils of t…
Level C1AdventureIn Desert and WildernessTwo children, Nell and Stas, navigate the tense mysteries of colonial Egypt, caught between family ties, political intrigue, and the looming threat of the Mahdi’s uprising, as they…
Level C1HistoricalIn Convent Walls: The Story of the DespensersEntangled in the turbulent court of Queen Isabel, a gentlewoman recounts a tale of ambition, betrayal, and divine judgment that shadows one of England’s darkest chapters.
Level C1AdventureIn Clive's Command: A Story of the Fight for IndiaAmid the bustling streets of 1754 Market Drayton, a tall, enigmatic Englishman with a keen curiosity steps into an unfolding drama that intertwines personal adventure with the epic…
Level C1HistoricalImaginary PortraitsIn early 18th-century Valenciennes, young Antony Watteau, a gifted but unfulfilled painter, navigates the struggles of humble origins and artistic ambition, dreaming of triumph in…
Level C1HistoricalIllustrations of the author of WaverleyAmidst the turmoil of the Highland uprising, an honorable soldier and his noble adversary forge an unlikely bond of respect and protection, revealing a tale of loyalty, courage, an…
Level C1HistoricalIllustrations of political economy, Volume 6 (of 9)In 17th-century Amsterdam, amidst bustling markets and ships, the death of a prominent merchant sets the stage for exploring the intricate workings of bills of exchange and the flo…
Level C1HistoricalIllustrations of political economy, Volume 5 (of 9)Exiled Polish prisoners march through the harsh Siberian wilderness, bound by iron bars and defiant songs of their homeland.
Level C1HistoricalIllustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners:: with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.Delve into the rich world of Shakespearean insight, exploring ancient customs, the roles of clowns and fools, and the origins of popular tales and dances, all illuminated through d…
Level C1HistoricalIllustrated history of ancient literature, oriental and classicalExplore the origins and evolution of ancient Oriental and classical literatures, tracing languages and masterpieces that shaped civilizations.
Level C1HistoricalIl Novellino: The hundred old talesStep into the lively courts and rustic camps of medieval Italy, where a minstrel weaves a hundred captivating tales—moral, witty, and spicy—drawn from biblical, classical, and exot…
Level C1AdventureIf I Were KingIn a smoky tavern filled with rogues and rebels, a bold woman disguised as a man captivates with her fearless song and sharp wit.
Level C1AdventureIdonia: A Romance of Old LondonIn old London, a young man named Denis navigates his complex relationship with his scholarly father while uncovering mysterious family secrets.
Level C1HistoricalIdling in Italy: Studies of literature and of lifeExplore Italy beyond its famed landscapes through intimate essays that blend literature, history, and the spirit of a nation rising from tyranny to new cultural heights amid the up…
Level C1HistoricalIdle Hours in a LibraryExplore the vibrant daily life and social customs of Elizabethan London through lively essays that reveal the era’s literature, culture, and early English novels, offering a captiv…
Level C1HistoricalIconoclasts: A Book of Dramatists: Ibsen, Strindberg, Becque, Hauptmann, Sudermann, Hervieu, Gorky, Duse and D'Annunzio, Maeterlinck and Bernard ShawExplore the intense soul struggles and moral dilemmas within the intimate settings of Henrik Ibsen’s dramas, where the human spirit battles doubt, wrath, and hope in a world poised…
Level C1HistoricalIberia Won; A poem descriptive of the Peninsular War: With impressions from recent visits to the battle-grounds, and copious historical and illustrative notesImmerse yourself in vivid poetic reflections and firsthand accounts of the Peninsular War, tracing the relentless British campaign across Spain and Portugal’s battlefields.
Level C1HistoricalI. Beówulf: an Anglo-Saxon poem. II. The fight at Finnsburh: a fragment.Dive into the heroic world of Beowulf, where ancient battles and legendary feats shape the fate of kingdoms.
Level C1RomanceI, Thou, and the Other One: A Love StoryIn the rugged hills of Yorkshire, a spirited wrestling match between a proud squire and a mysterious stranger sparks a clash of tradition and revolutionary ideas, setting the stage…
Level C1HistoricalI will repayIn pre-revolutionary Paris, a heated insult over a scandalous beauty sparks a dangerous duel between aristocrats, revealing fierce passions, fragile honor, and the precarious socia…
Level C1HistoricalI Will MaintainIn a turbulent Dutch Republic, a steadfast statesman grapples with guiding the young Prince whose future could alter the fate of the nation, navigating political intrigue, loyalty,…
Level C1HistoricalHypatia — or New Foes with an Old FaceAmid the turbulent fifth century, the Christian Church rises against the decadent Roman Empire’s tyranny, igniting a fierce battle of faith, power, and morality that will reshape t…
Level C1HistoricalHyacinthIn mid-19th century Connemara, a devoted young convert returns as a Protestant rector to spread a new faith among Irish Catholics, facing resistance, fading enthusiasm, and the com…
Level C1RomanceHurricane HurryBorn to a seafaring fate, a young sailor embarks on perilous voyages across the seas, facing duels, war, and shipwrecks while forging unbreakable bonds and chasing adventure on the…
Level C1AdventureHunting the LionsTom Brown, a settler’s son from Cape Town, embarks on daring adventures into Africa’s wild interior, driven by an irresistible urge to explore unknown lands and encounter the untam…
Level C1AdventureHunted and HarriedA determined troop of dragoons hunts a mysterious man rumored to aid rebels, navigating rugged Scottish moors and treacherous paths.
Level C1HistoricalHung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book IIIn a world where dreams blur with reality, a young maid navigates the intrigues and secret desires of a grand household, while a brooding nobleman wrestles with his feelings and th…
Level C1HistoricalHung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book IIn a world where dreams and visions intertwine with reality, a mystical stone with hidden powers embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption, revealing the profound stori…
Level C1HistoricalHumphrey Bold: A Story of the Times of BenbowAn orphaned boy, frail yet determined, faces torment and mystery as he is adopted by a stern yeoman and begins school amid family grudges and schoolyard bullies in early 18th-centu…
Level C1HistoricalHugh Wynne, Free Quaker: Sometime Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on the Staff of his Excellency General WashingtonAmid the turmoil of the American Revolution, a complex man wrestles with his Quaker upbringing and the harsh realities of war, revealing how faith and conflict shape character in a…
Level C1AdventureHoward Pyle's Book of Pirates: Fiction, Fact & Fancy Concerning the Buccaneers & Marooners of the Spanish MainDive into the perilous world of pirates and buccaneers along the Spanish Main, where daring captains seek treasure, defy law, and live lives of relentless adventure and unbridled p…
Level C1HistoricalHow to See a PlayDiscover how to become a discerning theater-goer who appreciates the artistic and intellectual values of plays, learning to choose wisely and demand quality drama that enriches bot…
Level C1HistoricalHow he won herAmidst the turmoil of Civil War, Erminie devotes herself to comforting the wounded and mourning mothers while grappling with loss and unspoken questions about love and loyalty.
Level C1HistoricalHow Lisa Loved the KingIn medieval Palermo, a young merchant’s daughter named Lisa becomes captivated by King Pedro of Aragon, embodying chivalry and heroism, as festive tournaments stir dreams of noble…
Level C1HistoricalHouse of Torment: A Tale of the Remarkable Adventures of Mr. John Commendone, Gentleman to King Phillip II of Spain at the English CourtIn the shadowy court of Queen Elizabeth I, John Commendone serves as gentleman to King Philip II of Spain, navigating political intrigue, religious tensions, and a perilous marriag…
Level C1HistoricalHours in a Library, Volume 3Dive into a thoughtful exploration of Charlotte Brontë’s intense and original character, where literary criticism seeks a balance between passionate admiration and scientific impar…
Level C1HistoricalHours in a Library, Volume 2Dive into the lively world of eighteenth-century literature as the author explores the wit and style of Dr.
Level C1HistoricalHours in a Library, Volume 1Step into the serene world of an old library, where the silent wisdom of countless authors breathes life into dusty pages, inviting you to explore timeless knowledge and the intima…
Level C1AdventureHorse-Shoe Robinson: A Tale of the Tory AscendencyJourney through the rugged South Carolina wilderness where a lone traveler’s chance encounter with a wounded boy and a frontier family draws him into the untamed beauty and hidden…
Level C1HistoricalHoraceRising from humble beginnings to the heights of Roman society, a poet’s journey unfolds, blending sharp wisdom with heartfelt humanity.
Level C1HistoricalHoraceBorn to humble origins, a young Roman poet rises through education and philosophy amidst the turbulent aftermath of Caesar’s assassination, forging his path alongside history's gre…
Level C1RomanceHope Leslie: or, early times in the Massachusetts, volume 2 (of 2)In a tense colonial Massachusetts setting, Hope Leslie encounters Magawisca, a mysterious Native woman bearing news of her lost sister.
Level C1HistoricalHope Leslie: or, early times in the Massachusetts, volume 1 (of 2)Amidst the tension between royal loyalty and rising Puritan ideals, a young English gentleman challenges his uncle’s warnings as he becomes entwined with New England’s fervent lead…
Level C1HistoricalHomo Sum — CompleteIn the rugged deserts of Sinai, an anchorite silently bears a grave injustice, choosing exile over self-defense.
Level C1HistoricalHomes and Haunts of the Most Eminent British Poets, Vol. 1 (of 2)Explore the vanished homes and vivid haunts of Britain's greatest poets, tracing their lives through the remnants and stories left behind.