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 C1HistoricalAstronomical Lore in ChaucerExplore the medieval world where celestial movements govern daily life and fate, intertwining astronomy and astrology in poetry.
Level C1AdventureAstoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky MountainsJourney beyond the Rockies unfolds as fur traders and explorers brave treacherous wilderness, negotiate with Native tribes, and establish the ambitious Astoria trading post, reveal…
Level C1HistoricalAspects and ImpressionsStep into the Victorian literary world through vivid impressions of George Eliot and her contemporaries, exploring the powerful influence and complex rivalries shaping English pros…
Level C1RomanceAspasiaIn ancient Athens, a captivatingly beautiful woman stirs awe, desire, and envy as she strides through the Agora, igniting silent tensions and unspoken conflicts.
Level C1HistoricalAshcliffe Hall: A tale of the last centuryIn an old English manor, two sisters navigate the expectations of their genteel world, while secrets and quiet tensions simmer beneath the genteel surface.
Level C1RomanceAscanioAmidst the splendor and intrigue of Francis I's French court, passionate rivalries and political schemes unfold as a young favorite rises to power, challenging queens and captivati…
Level C1HistoricalAs Others Saw Him: A Retrospect, A.D. 54In a vivid recounting from Jerusalem, a man with fiery zeal disrupts the Temple's commerce, revealing a complex figure torn between righteous fury and tender compassion.
Level C1RomanceArthurian Chronicles: Roman de BrutDive into a vivid retelling of Arthurian legend where history and chivalric romance intertwine, revealing noble knights and courtly valor through poetic chronicles that shaped medi…
Level C1AdventureArthur Brown, The Young CaptainA young man, rescued from death by the sea captain who once owed a debt to his late father, embarks on a journey of adventure and self-discovery amid the turbulent rise of American…
Level C1RomanceArthur Blane; or, The Hundred CuirassiersIn 17th-century Paris, a young Scottish swordsman navigates dark alleys and deadly intrigues with only his wits, a keen blade, and a fierce determination to survive amidst duels, p…
Level C1HistoricalArrows of the Chace, vol. 2/2: being a collection of scattered letters published chiefly in the daily newspapers 1840-1880Amidst 19th-century political turmoil, these letters reveal candid reflections on war, nationality, and faith, challenging Protestant stereotypes and portraying nuanced views of Au…
Level C1RomanceArrah Neil; or, Times of OldAmid the turmoil of the English Civil War, loyalties are tested as Sir John Hotham’s uncertain stance threatens the fate of Hull, while the brash Royalist soldier Barecolt stirs ad…
Level C1HistoricalAround Old Bethany: A Story of the Adventures of Robert and Mary DavisIn a newly settled Missouri town torn by denominational rivalry, Robert and Mary Davis embark on a heartfelt quest to uncover the true path of faith, comparing beliefs and seeking…
Level C1HistoricalArnold's TempterAs revolution brews in Philadelphia, influential aristocrats navigate a delicate balance between loyalty to the Crown and the fight for independence.
Level C1HistoricalAristophanesDive into the wild and witty world of Athenian comedy, where sharp political satire, bawdy humor, and vibrant spectacle collide to entertain and provoke a society at the height of…
Level C1HistoricalArethusaIn 1376 Constantinople, Venetian ex-soldier Carlo Zeno navigates a city divided by ruthless power struggles between Genoese rivals and the fragile Byzantine throne.
Level C1HistoricalAre these Things So? (1740) The Great Man's Answer to Are These things So: (1740)A fierce pamphlet war erupts in 1740, with anonymous verse and sharp political attacks targeting Robert Walpole's ministry.
Level C1HistoricalArachne — CompleteAmid the tranquil waters and mysterious islands of ancient Egypt, a young woman seeks prophecy and guidance as her family’s fate intertwines with secrets of piracy, power, and roya…
Level C1RomanceArabella Stuart: A Romance from English HistoryIn a turbulent era marked by ruthless ambition and shifting power, the tragic story of Arabella Stuart unfolds, revealing the clash of passion, politics, and betrayal within the ha…
Level C1HistoricalApu Ollantay: A Drama of the Time of the IncasSet during the reign of Inca Pachacuti, this drama unfolds the forbidden love between a noble chief and the Inca's daughter, weaving ancient Andean culture, dramatic tradition, and…
Level C1AdventureAntony Waymouth; Or, The Gentlemen AdventurersIn an age of exploration under Queen Elizabeth’s reign, two young gentlemen reunite in Plymouth, sparking tales of daring sea voyages and the thrilling promise of treasure and adve…
Level C1HistoricalAntonioA young monk newly ordained in war-torn Portugal grapples with doubt, duty, and desire for peace as his country emerges from years of conflict and civil strife.
Level C1HistoricalAntonina; Or, The Fall of RomeAmid the desolate Alps in 408 AD, as Gothic invaders carve a path toward Rome, a hidden cavern shelters secrets that capture the spirit of a crumbling empire on the brink of barbar…
Level C1HistoricalAnting-Anting Stories, and Other Strange Tales of the FilipinosIn a war-torn Philippine village, a mysterious native risks everything to retrieve a strange leather-bound book from a fallen comrade, revealing the power of the enigmatic anting-a…
Level C1HistoricalAntimachus of Colophon and the Position of Women in Greek Poetry: A fragment printed for the use of scholarsExplore the transformation in Greek poetry’s portrayal of love and women, tracing the shift from male-male affection in early works to the romantic ideal of male-female love in Ale…
Level C1HistoricalAnother SheafAfter the harrowing toll of war, a weary column of soldiers marches home through the dawn, their bodies broken but spirits longing for peace.
Level C1HistoricalAnne of Geierstein; Or, The Maiden of the Mist. Volume 2 (of 2)An English merchant’s journey through the harsh and unwelcoming inns of Alsace reveals a stark contrast between cultures, where hospitality is scarce and survival depends on grit.
Level C1AdventureAnne of Geierstein; Or, The Maiden of the Mist. Volume 1 (of 2)In a time of political intrigue and ancient grudges, a mysterious maiden emerges amidst the mist-shrouded Alps, weaving a tale of adventure, danger, and the clash of noble bloodlin…
Level C1HistoricalAnne FevershamIn Elizabethan England, a revered playwright contemplates the tragic fate of a young nobleman condemned for treason, revealing a world where art, politics, and danger entwine benea…
Level C1HistoricalAnne Bradstreet and Her TimeExplore the life of Anne Bradstreet, the pioneering woman poet of Colonial America, who, despite societal constraints, left a lasting literary legacy and became the matriarch of a…
Level C1HistoricalAnna Seward, and Classic LichfieldExplore the life and legacy of Anna Seward, England’s celebrated 18th-century poetess, as her story intertwines with the historic city of Lichfield and its rich literary and eccles…
Level C1HistoricalAnglo-Saxon LiteratureExplore the roots of modern European literature through the lens of Anglo-Saxon works, shaped by the powerful influence of Latin culture and its ancient traditions in poetry and pr…
Level C1HistoricalAngel: A sketch in Indian inkAmid the sweltering heat of colonial India, Angel Gascoigne, a neglected and forlorn child, waits at the gate of her faded family home, caught between the harsh realities of her fr…
Level C1HistoricalAngel Agnes: The Heroine of the Yellow Fever Plague in ShreveportWhen a deadly yellow fever outbreak ravages Shreveport, a devoted young woman risks everything to nurse the sick and dying, becoming a beacon of hope amid despair and death in a ci…
Level C1HistoricalAndréAmid the vibrant early American theatre scene, a determined young playwright navigates the challenges of staging his debut work, encountering colorful personalities and the shiftin…
Level C1HistoricalAndrew Golding: A Tale of the Great PlagueAmid the terror of the Great Plague in 1665 London, two sisters hide in a deserted house, grappling with loss and uncertainty.
Level C1HistoricalAndreas Hofer: An Historical NovelIn 1809 Austria stands on the brink of war against France, but Emperor Francis hesitates to act, leaving Archduke John to wrestle with powerlessness and hope as he prepares the mil…
Level C1AdventureAndivius Hedulio: Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the EmpireA Roman nobleman’s tranquil life unravels when an unexpected visit triggers a chain of trivial yet disastrous events, forcing him into a daring disguise and desperate escape amidst…
Level C1HistoricalAnde Trembath: A Tale of Old Cornwall EnglandA remote Cornish manor is shaken by a series of mysterious vandalism and the brutal killing of the squire’s loyal dog, Borlase.
Level C1HistoricalAncient rhetoric and poeticExplore the foundations of ancient rhetoric and poetic through the voices of Aristotle, Cicero, and Vergil, revealing timeless principles of composition that shaped Western literar…
Level C1AdventureAnabasisAmidst Persian royal intrigue and secret alliances, a Greek-led mercenary force embarks on a perilous march to aid Cyrus in his quest to claim the throne from his brother Artaxerxe…
Level C1HistoricalAn outline of humor: Being a true chronicle from prehistoric ages to the twentieth centuryTrace the evolution of humor from prehistoric times to the dawn of the twentieth century in a sweeping chronicle that highlights the enduring human spirit of wit, laughter, and mir…
Level C1HistoricalAn open verdictIn a world where titles and pride clash with harsh realities, a young woman’s fate intertwines with society’s expectations and the hopes of well-meaning guardians.
Level C1HistoricalAn odeCelebrate the rich history and spirit of Boston through a stirring poem delivered at the city's centennial, capturing the pride and perseverance of its people on a landmark Septemb…
Level C1HistoricalAn inland voyageTwo friends embark on a daring canoe voyage through the rivers and canals of Europe, facing unpredictable weather, challenging portages, and the thrill of uncharted adventure.
Level C1HistoricalAn imperial loverAmidst the intrigue of Peter the Great’s Russia, a French marshal embarks on a secret diplomatic mission, uncovering a transformed court where old customs clash with bold reforms,…
Level C1HistoricalAn account of some recent discoveries in hieroglyphical literature, and Egyptian antiquitiesUnravel the mysteries of ancient Egypt through groundbreaking discoveries in hieroglyphics and rare manuscripts, revealing the painstaking efforts behind decoding a language lost f…
Level C1HistoricalAn Unofficial PatriotA Southern clergyman and former slave-owner struggles with his conscience and the law in a turbulent Virginia steeped in religious revival and shifting moral landscapes.