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 C1RomanceDenounced: A RomanceCaught in a fierce storm, a young noblewoman journeys across treacherous seas with mysterious companions, her sharp gaze and defiant spirit hinting at secrets and dangers that thre…
Level C1HistoricalDemosIn a quiet valley overshadowed by industrial might, Wanley’s genteel families navigate shifting fortunes and hidden tensions.
Level C1HistoricalDemetrius: A PlayAmidst a tense Polish Diet, Prince Demetrius boldly claims his right to the Russian throne as Ivan's son, seeking justice and protection in a realm torn by past wars and political…
Level C1HistoricalDelusion; or, The Witch of New EnglandIn a remote New England village shadowed by superstition and hardship, a timid young man battles the weight of his humble origins and a society gripped by delusion, seeking strengt…
Level C1AdventureDelaware Tom; or, The Traitor GuideA weary wagon train crosses a harsh, barren plain under the watch of three striking figures: an old guide, a notorious and mistrusted man known as Dusky Dick, and a proud young wom…
Level C1FantasyDeirdreIn a realm shadowed by ominous omens and royal intrigue, a newborn girl named Deirdre is prophesied to bring destruction to Ulster.
Level C1AdventureDeering of Deal; Or, The Spirit of the SchoolA young Southern boy arrives late to Deal School, a storied academy steeped in family tradition and history, where he must navigate new challenges and forge his own path amid the e…
Level C1HistoricalDeep Waters; Or, A Strange StoryAmidst the grandeur of a Southern university commencement, a young orator captivates a crowd with a haunting speech on human sorrow, setting the stage for a remarkable journey thro…
Level C1HistoricalDeeds of Daring Done by GirlsIn a medieval castle, a spirited young lady defies expectations with her courage and wit, proving that daring deeds are not reserved for boys alone.
Level C1HistoricalDeath comes for the archbishopIn 1848, a missionary bishop and three Cardinals gather in Rome to discuss establishing a new Apostolic Vicarate in the vast, untamed territory of New Mexico, where ancient faith s…
Level C1HistoricalDeadham Hard: A RomanceIn the shadowy world of Deadham Hard, a scholar seeks refuge in a house steeped in mystery and moral ambiguity, where rivers meet and secrets flow beneath the surface.
Level C1HistoricalDead Man's Plack and an Old ThornIn the quiet solitude of Hampshire's Harewood Forest, a chance encounter with a mysterious stone cross unravels a centuries-old legend about King Edgar and a fatal betrayal.
Level C1HistoricalDe Quincey's Revolt of the TartarsImmerse yourself in a richly imagined episode of Russian history as a brilliant and eccentric mind weaves vivid narrative from obscure sources, blending scholarly insight with impa…
Level C1HistoricalDe Libris: Prose and VerseExplore the rich history and curious associations behind rare books, from Bacon’s reflections on life to the artistic legacy of Thomas Bewick, uncovering captivating stories that l…
Level C1RomanceDe L'Orme.: The Works of G. P. R. James, Esq., Vol. XVI.A young man’s thirst for adventure draws him into perilous errors and bitter regrets in a tale that explores honor, virtue, and the harsh consequences of reckless ambition.
Level C1HistoricalDays Before historyStep back to prehistoric Britain, where hunters stalk the wild hills and ancient tribes craft stone weapons as they navigate a world of forests, rivers, and fierce rivalries.
Level C1HistoricalDavid Fleming's ForgivenessTwo brothers carve out a thriving Canadian settlement from the wilderness, transforming a rugged frontier into a prosperous village.
Level C1AdventureDavid Balfour: Being Memoirs Of His Adventures At Home And Abroad, The Second Part: In Which Are Set Forth His Misfortunes Anent The Appin Murder; His Troubles With Lord Advocate Grant; Captivity On The Bass Rock; Journey Into Holland And France; And Singular Relations With James More Drummond Or Macgregor, A Son Of The Notorious Rob Roy, And His Daughter CatrionaAfter inheriting a lairdship and fortune, David Balfour navigates the treacherous streets of Edinburgh, caught between dangerous intrigues and his own uncertain fate.
Level C1AdventureDastral of the Flying CorpsIn the midst of World War I’s fierce battles, a young English pilot named Dastral pushes the limits of daring aerial combat to earn his wings and face the deadly mastery of the ski…
Level C1RomanceDarnley; or, The Field of the Cloth of GoldAmid the winding roads of 16th-century Kent, a stalwart knight embarks on a journey filled with adventure and historical intrigue, set against the vibrant backdrop of King Henry VI…
Level C1HistoricalDarkness and Dawn; Or, Scenes in the Days of Nero. An Historic TaleIn the turbulent days of Nero’s Rome, a decadent pagan world faces the dawn of Christianity.
Level C1HistoricalDante: Six SermonsExplore the life and principles of Dante as a philosopher, poet, and social reformer driven by a passionate zeal to unite Italy and uplift humanity through virtue and truth, blendi…
Level C1HistoricalDante: His Times and His WorkExplore the turbulent political and social landscape of Dante’s Italy, revealing his complex worldview shaped by factional strife and elite society, while uncovering fresh scholarl…
Level C1HistoricalDante: "The Central Man of All the World": A Course of Lectures Delivered Before the Student Body of the New York State College for Teachers, Albany, 1919, 1920Explore Dante’s Divine Comedy through a journey across medieval Italy, uncovering timeless struggles of the human soul and the spiritual battles that shape every individual’s quest…
Level C1HistoricalDante. An essay. To which is added a translation of De Monarchia.Explore the origins and impact of the Divina Commedia, tracing the personal history and political context behind Dante's monumental work and his treatise De Monarchia, illuminating…
Level C1HistoricalDante and the early astronomersExplore the captivating intersection of astronomy and poetry as a medieval scholar turns to ancient texts and celestial wonders for solace and enlightenment, revealing the profound…
Level C1HistoricalDanteStep into the turbulent world of 12th and 13th-century Italy, where the clash between emperors and popes shapes emerging city-states and fierce political factions.
Level C1HistoricalDaniel DefoeAn extraordinary man of action and letters, he leads a life as adventurous as his famed characters, navigating rebellion, commerce, espionage, and literary fame.
Level C1MysteryDanger! and Other StoriesA small European navy captain reveals how England’s mighty fleet is rendered powerless when a hidden threat exploits its overlooked vulnerabilities, forcing a nation to confront th…
Level C1RomanceDaisy in the FieldTorn between duty and heartbreak, a young woman struggles to focus on her studies as the harsh realities of war and love collide around her.
Level C1HistoricalDadIn the aftermath of the Mexican-American War, a grand military pageant celebrates the American victory while revealing the complex tension between conquerors and conquered.
Level C1AdventureD'Ri and I: A Tale of Daring Deeds in the Second War with the British.: Being the Memoirs of Colonel Ramon Bell, U.S.A.In a rugged northern wilderness during the early 19th century, a daring Yankee pioneer and a French-descended soldier navigate the harsh frontier and the turmoil of war with Britai…
Level C1AdventureCædwalla; or, The Saxons in the Isle of Wight: A TaleAmidst the turbulent seventh-century Isle of Wight, a fierce Saxon warrior named Cædwalla rises, navigating battles, faith, and shifting loyalties in a land where law and culture b…
Level C1HistoricalCyropaedia: The Education of CyrusExplore the art of leadership through the life of Cyrus, whose rare ability to gain willing obedience from diverse peoples challenges the notion that ruling men is impossible.
Level C1HistoricalCyrano de BergeracAmid the lively bustle of 17th-century Paris, actors, musketeers, and pickpockets gather at the Hotel de Bourgogne for a theatrical performance, where wit, romance, and intrigue in…
Level C1AdventureCuster's Last Shot; or, The Boy Trailer of the Little HornA rugged ranger confronts a fierce Indian chief while seeking answers about a missing ally, igniting a tense standoff on the wild frontier.
Level C1HistoricalCurious Myths of the Middle AgesImmerse yourself in haunting medieval legends where cursed figures like the Wandering Jew roam endlessly, burdened by their past and seeking elusive rest.
Level C1HistoricalCuriosities of Literature, Vol. 3Explore the challenges and quirks of literary local descriptions, revealing how writers’ vivid attempts to capture settings often confuse more than clarify, blending imagination wi…
Level C1HistoricalCuriosities of Literature, Vol. 2Explore the intricate politics and superstitions surrounding the Prince of Wales's perilous journey to Spain to win the Infanta’s hand, revealing secret alliances, court intrigues,…
Level C1HistoricalCuriosities of Literature, Vol. 1Dive into a rich tapestry of literary, artistic, and political history, woven with critical insights and biographic anecdotes that illuminate the lives and influences of great thin…
Level C1HistoricalCuriosities of CivilizationExplore a vivid tapestry of England’s past through the lens of historical advertisements, revealing the everyday lives, trades, and social shifts from the dawn of the press through…
Level C1HistoricalCupid in AfricaIn the shadow of a storied military lineage, Bertram Greene struggles to live up to his father’s expectations amid the backdrop of war-torn East Africa, where duty, family honor, a…![Cover of Crying for the Light; Or, Fifty Years Ago. Vol. 3 [of 3] by J. Ewing Ritchie](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da89al4v7nos73d6p7u0.webp)
Level C1HistoricalCrying for the Light; Or, Fifty Years Ago. Vol. 3 [of 3]In a vibrant English countryside setting, tensions rise as traditional farming meets the relentless advance of steam-powered machinery, challenging the livelihoods of rural workers…![Cover of Crying for the Light; Or, Fifty Years Ago. Vol. 2 [of 3] by J. Ewing Ritchie](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da89aikv7nos73d6p7sg.webp)
Level C1HistoricalCrying for the Light; Or, Fifty Years Ago. Vol. 2 [of 3]Amid spiritual turmoil and societal facades, an actress wrestles with faith, confronting the hollowness of worldly pleasures and the rigid doctrines of church institutions as she s…
Level C1RomanceCrittenden: A Kentucky Story of Love and WarAmid the dawn of a new war, Clay Crittenden returns to Kentucky, where family legacies and divided loyalties echo through the Bluegrass hills.
Level C1HistoricalCriticism: Part 4 from The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume VIIExplore the haunting tale of Evangeline, a faithful heroine wandering the American wilderness in search of lost love amidst the tragic expulsion of the Acadian settlers.
Level C1HistoricalCriticism and FictionExplore the evolving nature of art and criticism through a thoughtful examination of beauty, truth, and fashion, questioning how timeless values endure amid changing tastes and fle…
Level C1HistoricalCritical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays; Vol. 6: With a Memoir and IndexExplore the turbulent political life of Lord Chatham amid the shifting allegiances of Whigs and Tories during George III's reign, revealing how traditional parties transformed and…