Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
3,453 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 Thorstein of the mere, Thoroughbreds and Thomas Lord Cromwell. 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.
- 3,453
- books
Level C1HistoricalEdward Fane's Rosebud (From "Twice Told Tales")An aging nurse reflects on her lost youth and a broken romance with Edward Fane, set against the harsh realities of class and mortality in colonial times.
Level C1HistoricalEdward Barnett, a Neglected Child of South Carolina, Who Rose to Be a Peer of Great Britain,—and the Stormy Life of His Grandfather, Captain Williams: or, The Earl's Victims: with an Account of the Terrible End of the Proud Earl De Montford, the Lamentable Fate of the Victim of His Passion, and the Shadow's PunishmentIn a grand English manor, a proud Earl battles hidden enemies and simmering family tensions, as an aged steward defies his wrath to protect a wronged man whose fate intertwines wit…
Level C1AdventureEdmond DantèsEdmond Dantès, the legendary Count of Monte-Cristo, embarks on a thrilling new journey amid a violent Mediterranean storm and the upheaval of the 1848 French Revolution.
Level C1HistoricalEdina: A NovelIn a bleak Cornish mining village, the lives of miners, a dedicated doctor, and his charming nephew intertwine amid the hardships and hidden tensions of a close-knit community.
Level C1MysteryEdgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a Sleep-WalkerIn the wild American frontier, a man haunted by the mysterious death of his friend embarks on a nocturnal journey filled with suspense and dark secrets, where sleepwalking and unta…
Level C1AdventureEben Holden: A Tale of the North CountryIn the rugged Adirondack wilderness, a small boy travels with Uncle Eb, a kind-hearted woodsman with wild stories of fearsome creatures, as they forge a life shaped by hardship, im…
Level C1RomanceEastern Shame GirlIn 17th-century Peking, a young scholar falls deeply for Tu Shih-niang, a captivating singing girl torn between a life of honor and the demands of her world.
Level C1HistoricalEarly Letters of George Wm. Curtis to John S. Dwight; Brook Farm and ConcordA young man immersed in the Transcendental movement attends the innovative Brook Farm school, balancing rigorous study with the natural beauty and reformist ideals of a utopian com…
Level C1HistoricalEarl Hubert's Daughter: The Polishing of the Pearl - A Tale of the 13th CenturyIn a turbulent 13th-century England ruled by superstition and politics, young Margaret, a noble Scottish princess raised amid royal intrigues, must navigate a world where faith, po…
Level C1HistoricalDust: A NovelIn post-Waterloo England, amidst a society of bold youth and shifting class lines, Mrs.
Level C1AdventureDungeon Rock; or, the pirate's cave, at LynnA determined young settler, William Wallace, builds a solitary life by the sea, dedicating himself to aiding those in peril—until a violent storm brings unexpected visitors, includ…
Level C1HistoricalDulcie Carlyon: A novel. Volume 3 (of 3)In the rugged landscapes of Zululand, a relentless pursuit unfolds as Florian, driven by vengeance and grief, chases desperadoes through treacherous terrain, haunted by the memory…
Level C1RomanceDulcie Carlyon: A novel. Volume 2 (of 3)Amidst Scottish pines and shadowed turrets, Finella faces a tense farewell with her true love as jealous rivals and secret notes threaten to unravel their bond before departure.
Level C1HistoricalDrum-TapsAmid the chaos and darkness of war, nature’s enduring beauty offers a hopeful contrast, while reflections on conflict, culture, and humanity challenge us to find faith and dignity…
Level C1HistoricalDrossIn 1869 Paris, amid grand celebrations for Napoleon's centenary, a keen observer navigates the intrigues of empire, power, and identity beneath the pomp and ceremony.
Level C1HistoricalDroll Stories — Complete: Collected from the Abbeys of TouraineStep into the lively world of sixteenth-century Touraine, where gallant knights, witty monks, and merry dames share ribald tales and hearty laughter.
Level C1HistoricalDriftwood Spars: The Stories of a Man, a Boy, a Woman, and Certain Other People Who Strangely Met Upon the Sea of LifeIn a harsh colonial outpost, a soldier reflects on his complex bond with John Ross-Ellison, a man whose extraordinary life intertwines with tales of loyalty, family secrets, and th…
Level C1HistoricalDred: A Tale of the Great Dismal SwampIn the shadow of the Great Dismal Swamp, conflicting worlds collide as liberty and slavery wage a moral battle, seen through vivid characters caught in a society grappling with its…
Level C1HistoricalDreamers of the GhettoIn the sealed canals of Venice’s ancient Ghetto, a child grows up surrounded by tradition, mystery, and confinement.
Level C1HistoricalDramatis PersonæExplore the enigmatic mind of Conrad, a man whose secret world reveals the illusions, dreams, and dark mysteries lurking beneath human nature, challenging perceptions of virtue, vi…
Level C1HistoricalDrake; or, the Transfer of the Trident: A National DramaAmid political intrigue and treacherous alliances, Queen Elizabeth's reign shapes the dawn of England's naval supremacy, with Sir Francis Drake emerging as a daring hero whose expl…
Level C1HistoricalDr. Wortle's SchoolA determined rector and schoolmaster runs a prestigious boys’ school in a quiet village, balancing ambition, authority, and conflict with church leaders.
Level C1HistoricalDr. Jolliffe's BoysAt Weston School, a fierce cricket rivalry unfolds between Weston and Hillsborough, igniting personal ambitions and jealousies among the boys.
Level C1HistoricalDr. Johnson and His CircleExplore the enduring legacy of Samuel Johnson, whose wit and wisdom shaped English character and literature far beyond his time.
Level C1HistoricalDr. Bullivant: (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")In a somber 1670 New England town, Dr.
Level C1HistoricalDoña PerfectaA passionate clash unfolds between rigid tradition and modern ideals in a Spanish town where bigotry and ambition collide, challenging faith and family ties with profound human dra…
Level C1HistoricalDown at Caxton'sStep into the fading world of ante-bellum Middle Georgia, where vivid characters speak in authentic local dialect and live out the rich, complex traditions of their time, captured…
Level C1HistoricalDown among menAmid the turmoil of a military campaign in the Philippine islands, a soldier and a correspondent navigate the harsh realities of war, local customs, and survival.
Level C1MysteryDorothy's Double. Volume 2 (of 3)A young woman faces suspicion and mystery when a series of events involving stolen jewels, secret orders, and veiled identities entangles her family and trusted friends in a tense…
Level C1HistoricalDorothy Vernon of Haddon HallIn 16th-century England, amid ancient castles and noble lineages, a tale unfolds of love, loyalty, and intrigue as a young nobleman returns from war to find his world transformed b…
Level C1RomanceDorothy South: A Love Story of Virginia Just Before the WarIn the lush woodlands of pre-Civil War Virginia, a cultured young stranger arrives, stirring curiosity and change as he navigates the intricate social landscape, meeting locals lik…
Level C1AdventureDoom CastleA nobleman escapes a mysterious pursuit through a hauntingly silent, rugged land where danger lurks behind every shadow.
Level C1HistoricalDonald Ross of Heimra (Volume 1 of 3)A determined young woman inherits a Highland estate and sets out to transform it, confronting the harsh realities of Scottish soil, climate, and human nature while striving to brin…
Level C1HistoricalDonald McElroy, Scotch IrishmanAmid the turmoil of pre-Revolutionary America, a Scotch Irish youth recounts his life on a Virginia frontier plantation, revealing the courage, faith, and fierce independence of a…
Level C1RomanceDon SebastianAmid political exile and the collapse of his homeland, a noble prince leads his people across treacherous seas to forge a new empire, blending historical intrigue with the personal…
Level C1HistoricalDon OrsinoIn the shadow of a crumbling Roman empire and the rise of a new Italy, Don Orsino Saracinesca navigates family legacy, political upheaval, and fading nobility in a world forever tr…
Level C1HistoricalDomitiaIn the bustling port of Cenchræa, a proud noblewoman awaits the arrival of a powerful lord, navigating a world of political intrigue, ambition, and the clash of empires on the edge…
Level C1RomanceDoctor ThorneIn the rural county of Barsetshire, a young country doctor navigates the complex social and political divides shaped by tradition, reform, and family ties, where loyalty and love a…
Level C1RomanceDiscovering "Evelina": An Old-fashioned Romance: A Companion Book to "The Jessamy Bride"In a household stirred by the magnetic influence of the famed Mr.
Level C1HistoricalDiscourses on Satire and on Epic PoetryDive into a rich dialogue on the art of satire and epic poetry, where critical debates, literary aspirations, and the poet's own reflections unfold against the backdrop of 17th-cen…
Level C1HistoricalDilemmas of Pride, (Vol 1 of 3)Amid the sprawling, ancient estates of Arden Park, twin brothers Sir Willoughby and Alfred Arden come of age, their lives entwined with family legacy, celebration, and deep-seated…
Level C1HistoricalDiddie, Dumps & Tot; or, Plantation child-lifeThree young sisters grow up on a Mississippi cotton plantation, surrounded by devoted caretakers and the rich traditions of Southern slave life.
Level C1HistoricalDickensian Inns & TavernsStep back into the charming world of Dickensian inns, where old coaching roads meet cozy taverns alive with history and character.
Level C1HistoricalDickens As an EducatorExplore how Dickens revolutionized education by championing childhood dignity, opposing harsh discipline, and inspiring reforms that prioritize a child's natural goodness and curio…
Level C1AdventureDick Rodney; or, The Adventures of an Eton BoyAn adventurous Eton boy torn between family expectations and his restless spirit sets out on a journey filled with perils, sea voyages, and daring exploits beyond the bounds of sch…
Level C1RomanceDiane of Ville Marie: A Romance of French CanadaAmidst the rugged wilderness of 1690 New France, a determined heiress and a captive New England girl embark on a perilous pilgrimage to Mount Royal, navigating danger, faith, and t…
Level C1HistoricalDialogueExplore the art of conversation as minds meet and clash in vivid dialogue, revealing character and conflict beyond mere narration.
Level C1HistoricalDevereux — CompleteA philosophical young man navigates the trials of life and belief against a historical backdrop, blending introspective character study with sweeping narrative.