Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
113 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.
- 113
- books
Level C2HistoricalAn English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (8 of 8)Step into the epic campaign of King Henry V as he rallies his knights and sets sail for Normandy, preparing for the fateful Siege of Harfleur and the legendary Battle of Agincourt,…
Level C2RomanceA rogue's tragedyAmid the ethereal Alps, two lovers find their world transformed by a transcendent passion that blurs the line between dream and reality.
Level C2HistoricalA Very Pleasaunt & Fruitful Diologe Called the EpicureA thoughtful dialogue explores the true treasures of the mind—learning, wisdom, and virtue—beyond worldly riches and fame.
Level C2HistoricalA Treatise of Daunses, Wherin It is Shewed, That They Are as It Were Accessories and Dependants (Or Thynges Annexed) to Whoredome: Where Also by the Way is Touched and Proued, That Playes Are Ioyned and Knit Togeather in a Rancke or Rowe with Them (1581)Explore a fiery argument against dances and plays, portrayed as gateways to moral corruption, as the author challenges their place in Christian society and calls for a thorough ref…
Level C2HistoricalA Roman Lawyer in Jerusalem : First CenturyIn first-century Jerusalem, a Roman lawyer wrestles with the mysterious figure of Christus and the controversial betrayal by Judas Iscariot, seeking truth amid political turmoil an…
Level C2HistoricalA Ioyfull medytacyon to all Englonde of the coronacyon of our moost naturall souerayne lorde kynge Henry the eyght: (A Joyful Meditation of the Coronation of King Henry the Eighth)Celebrate the coronation of King Henry VIII through a poetic meditation that honors his royal lineage, virtues, and the hopes of England united under his reign.
Level C2HistoricalA History of English Romanticism in the Nineteenth CenturyExplore the vibrant revival of medieval themes and national heritage as the 19th century’s romanticism unfolds through the works of Scott, Coleridge, and Keats, revealing a complex…
Level C2HistoricalA Commentary on HerodotusDelve into an in-depth exploration of Herodotus's historical narratives, enriched with scholarly insights and linguistic analysis that illuminate the ancient world’s complexities a…
Level C2Historical'Hello, soldier!'Amidst the stirring calls of war, ordinary Australian men—bushies, miners, boys—march with pride and courage to defend their land and prove their worth on the battlefield.
Level C2ClassicsLes MisérablesThe classic historical novel by Victor Hugo.
Level C2ClassicsMiddlemarchThe classic romance novel by George Eliot.
Level C2PoetryThe Lady of the LakeThe classic romance novel by Walter Scott.
Level C2PhilosophyThe PrinceThe classic historical novel by Niccolò Machiavelli.
Level C2PhilosophyThe Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2)The classic historical novel by George Gillespie.
Level C2ClassicsWar and PeaceTolstoy's sweeping epic follows five aristocratic families through the Napoleonic Wars, weaving personal drama with grand historical events to create one of literature's greatest p…
Level C2PhilosophyThe City of God, Volume IThe classic work of philosophy and theology by Saint Augustine of Hippo.
Level C2HistoricalThe Anabasis of Alexander : $b or, The history of the wars and conquests of Alexander the GreatThe classic historical novel by Arrian.