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 C1HistoricalCorporal Sam and Other StoriesAmid the smoke and thunder of a fierce siege, Sergeant Wilkes and Corporal Sam Vicary confront the brutal realities of war, from the battlefield to the vulnerable lives behind enem…
Level C1HistoricalCorinne; or, ItalyA gifted woman nurtured by an intellectual family navigates society’s expectations and personal ambitions amid the tumult of the French Revolution.
Level C1HistoricalCorianton: A Nephite StoryA defiant prisoner, bound and guarded, is brought to the free city of Zarahemla to face trial for challenging the faith and authority of its leaders.
Level C1HistoricalContemporary Russian NovelistsExplore the rise of modern Russian literature as a vibrant protest against tradition, shaped by history, autocracy, and the clash between old beliefs and European ideas.
Level C1HistoricalContemporary American Novelists (1900-1920)Explore the evolution of the American novel from 1900 to 1920 as it grapples with the rise of naturalism and the fading charm of local color, revealing how authors navigate shiftin…
Level C1HistoricalConstance TrescotA young man seeks approval to marry into a wealthy family, navigating the sharp wit and complex expectations of his future uncle-in-law.
Level C1HistoricalConstance Sherwood: An Autobiography of the Sixteenth CenturyBorn into a tranquil English estate during turbulent times, a young woman reflects on faith, family, and the trials that shape her life amid the religious conflicts of the sixteent…
Level C1HistoricalConspiracy of Catiline and the Jurgurthine WarPolitical ambition and moral decay collide as Catiline plots to overthrow Rome's government, rallying conspirators amid social unrest and elite power struggles.
Level C1HistoricalConnecticut Wide-Awake SongsterStep into a pivotal moment in American history as political leaders lay out the Republican Party’s platform, defending the Union, states' rights, and freedom while condemning corru…
Level C1HistoricalConfessions of an EtonianA young boy faces the wrenching farewell to childhood as he embarks on his daunting journey at Eton, confronting harsh discipline, bullying, and the stark realities of an elite sch…
Level C1MysteryConfessions of a ThugIn the shadowy jungles of India, a hidden network of Thugs thrives, committing unspeakable crimes while eluding detection.
Level C1AdventureConcerning "Bully" Hayes: From "The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton, and Other Stories" - 1902Step into the wild Pacific of the 1860s, where "Bully" Hayes, a daring and notorious captain, navigates treacherous waters, fierce rivalries, and a shadowy trade, all while battlin…
Level C1HistoricalCompanionable BooksExplore the enduring power of books that nourish the soul and inspire the imagination, as this reflective journey uncovers timeless works whose beauty and wisdom become cherished c…
Level C1HistoricalComing Home: 1916Amid the chaos of war-torn France, a wounded cavalry lieutenant clings to hope for news of his family trapped behind enemy lines.
Level C1HistoricalCome Rack! Come Rope!Amid the frostbitten hills of 16th-century Derbyshire, a young nobleman struggles with the heavy burdens of loyalty, faith, and forbidden love during a time of relentless persecuti…
Level C1RomanceColville of the Guards, Volume 3 (of 3)Rescued from peril and trapped aboard a fog-shrouded yacht, Ellinor confronts the sinister Sir Redmond Sleath and his dubious companions, igniting a tense struggle for survival ami…
Level C1HistoricalColville of the Guards, Volume 2 (of 3)Haunted by betrayal and shattered hopes, Robert abandons his medical studies to join the Guards, seeking a new life far from home and the painful memories that bind him.
Level C1RomanceColville of the Guards, Volume 1 (of 3)In a secluded Scottish home, two orphaned sisters navigate loss, love, and duty while managing their modest estate and caring for those around them.
Level C1HistoricalColonel ChabertA mysterious man in tattered uniform reappears in a bustling Paris law office, stirring gossip among unruly clerks and challenging the order restored by Louis XVIII.
Level C1HistoricalColombaAn English officer and his skeptical daughter arrive in Marseilles, where tales of Corsican vendettas and wild hunting adventures spark a daring plan to explore the island’s fierce…
Level C1HistoricalColin Clink, Volume 2 (of 3)In a tense household drama, young Fanny faces suspicion and harsh judgment as she guards a secret that threatens her place and dignity.
Level C1HistoricalColinA young farmhand with a mysterious power over animals catches Queen Elizabeth’s eye, but a midnight visitor offers him a dark bargain promising wealth and honor for generations—if…
Level C1FantasyCliges: A RomanceIn a world where chivalry and love intertwine, a noble youth of Greek and Arthurian lineage embarks on a journey of valor and passion, navigating intricate emotions and courtly int…
Level C1HistoricalCleopatra — CompleteIn the heart of ancient Alexandria, the enigmatic Queen Cleopatra navigates love, power, and political intrigue, shaping the fate of empires while revealing the complexities behind…
Level C1HistoricalCleopatraIn the shadowy courts of Alexandria, a young Cleopatra returns from exile, wielding intelligence, charm, and ambition to captivate emperors and steer the fate of empires.
Level C1AdventureCleopatraAmid the ancient mysteries of Egypt, a secret manuscript reveals a forgotten tale of political intrigue, divine faith, and royal destiny, centered on Harmachis, a patriot caught in…
Level C1AdventureClementinaIn 1719 Italy, a sharp-witted traveler with a lame horse encounters a fragile, determined lady stranded without a postillion, both desperate to reach Bologna.
Level C1HistoricalClassic French Course in EnglishExplore the brilliance of French literature through carefully chosen excerpts and insightful commentary, revealing its unmatched wit, clarity, and vivacity across philosophy, comed…
Level C1RomanceClash of Arms: A RomanceAiling Philip Vause eagerly awaits his estranged brother Andrew, a rugged soldier known for brawls and bravado, who promises a timely visit after an urgent royal audience—bringing…
Level C1HistoricalClarissa DormerIn a West India plantation, a spoiled young heiress reigns with unchecked will, defying all order until a determined English governess arrives to tame her wild spirit and teach her…
Level C1HistoricalClarenceIn a San Francisco charged with secessionist tensions, Clarence Brant navigates a lonely marriage overshadowed by his wife’s fierce Southern loyalties and mounting political divide…
Level C1HistoricalClare Avery: A Story of the Spanish ArmadaIn a bitter March of 16th-century England, young Clare Avery’s world unfolds amid political unrest and looming threats from the Spanish Armada, where superstition, shifting allianc…
Level C1HistoricalCitt and Bumpkin (1680)In a tense 1680 England gripped by fear of a Catholic conspiracy, political factions clash over the future of the monarchy and Parliament’s power.
Level C1HistoricalCitation and Examination of William Shakspeare, Euseby Treen, Joseph Carnaby, and Silas Gough, ClerkStep into the turbulent world of 16th-century England, where a young William Shakespeare faces accusations of deer-stealing before Sir Thomas Lucy, revealing the ambitions and stru…
Level C1HistoricalCinq-MarsIn a turbulent era marked by political intrigue, a young nobleman navigates the dangerous conspiracies surrounding Louis XIII’s reign, challenging the formidable Cardinal Richelieu…
Level C1HistoricalCicero: Letters to Atticus, Vol. 3 of 3Amid Caesar’s rise and Rome’s turmoil, a statesman retreats into grief, friendship, and prolific writing, revealing the fragile hopes and fears of a fading Republic.
Level C1HistoricalCicero: Letters to Atticus, Vol. 2 of 3Amid the collapse of the Roman Republic, a statesman navigates the turbulent power struggle between Pompey and Caesar, revealing political intrigue, shifting alliances, and the per…
Level C1HistoricalCicero: Letters to Atticus, Vol. 1 of 3Delve into the intimate correspondence revealing the political intrigues and personal struggles of a Roman statesman navigating power, exile, and the brewing conflict between Caesa…
Level C1HistoricalCicero's Brutus or History of Famous Orators; also His Orator, or Accomplished Speaker.Explore a masterful dialogue tracing the lives and speeches of Greece and Rome’s greatest orators, set against the backdrop of Roman history and eloquence.
Level C1HistoricalCiceroStep into the turbulent world of late Republican Rome, where Marcus Tullius Cicero rises from humble roots to shape politics, oratory, and philosophy.
Level C1RomanceChronicles of Dustypore: A Tale of Modern Anglo-Indian SocietyIn the harsh, unforgiving Sandy Tracts of British India, new colonial order clashes with fierce extremes of nature and culture, setting the stage for a gripping tale of power, soci…
Level C1RomanceChronicle of the CidAn epic tale of Ruy Diaz, the legendary Cid Campeador, whose valor and cunning unite Christian knights and Moorish kings in medieval Spain’s fierce battles and chivalric honor.
Level C1HistoricalChristopher Crayon's Recollections: The Life and Times of the late James Ewing Ritchie as told by himselfStep back to 1837 East Anglia, where political corruption, fierce elections, and colorful characters define a turbulent era.
Level C1HistoricalChristmas Eve and Christmas Day: Ten Christmas storiesAfter the Revolution, a Massachusetts family anxiously awaits the results of a state lottery promising land in Maine, unveiling hopes and struggles in a fledgling nation’s uncertai…
Level C1HistoricalChita: A Memory of Last IslandJourney through Louisiana’s mysterious bayous and shimmering sea-islands to discover a haunting archipelago where old legends stir beneath sun-drenched oaks and ghostly shores, wea…
Level C1RomanceChiquita, an American Novel: The Romance of a Ute Chief's DaughterBorn into a once-respected family shadowed by a reckless father's downfall, Jack Sheppard navigates the tensions of heritage, hardship, and hope in a New England valley where love…
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 5: Miscellaneous Later EssaysExplore the passionate defense of individual liberty against society’s constraints, reflecting on the evolution of freedom from John Stuart Mill’s era to modern England, questionin…
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 4: Essays Chiefly on the Science of LanguageExplore the origins and evolution of language through detailed lectures and essays on comparative philology, tracing ancient tongues and their connections across cultures.