Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
4,982 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.
- 4,982
- books
Level B1AdventureThe movie boys in perilTwo adventurous boys with a powerful motorcycle stumble upon a runaway horse and buggy rushing toward a broken bridge, sparking a daring rescue attempt that will test their courage…
Level B2AdventureThe mid of the maintopAmidst a fierce storm off the coast of Africa, a daring midshipman falls overboard from a British frigate hunting slave traders, sparking a desperate search through fog and towerin…
Level C2HistoricalThe mediaeval stage, volume 2 (of 2)Explore the revival of medieval drama as it emerges from the ruins of Rome, blending ancient ritual, folk performance, and religious ceremonies into the liturgical plays that shape…
Level C1HistoricalThe mediaeval stage, volume 1 (of 2)Explore the origins of English theatre through the Middle Ages, tracing its evolution from wandering minstrels to the religious miracle-plays that paved the way for Shakespeare’s s…
Level B2HistoricalThe martyr of the catacombsIn ancient Rome's brutal Coliseum, gladiators fight for survival amid a bloodthirsty crowd led by Emperor Decius.![Cover of The man in grey: Being episodes of the Chovan [i.e. Chouan] conspiracies in Normandy during the First Empire. by Emmuska Orczy](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafd3mla8p2c739itev0.webp)
Level C1MysteryThe man in grey: Being episodes of the Chovan [i.e. Chouan] conspiracies in Normandy during the First Empire.Amid the shadowy intrigues of Napoleonic France, a mysterious figure known only as the Man in Grey hunts down the deadly Chouan rebels terrorizing Normandy.
Level C1AdventureThe man in blackAmid the bustling horse fair at Fécamp, a crafty man in black, his boy, and an ape captivate crowds with daring tightrope acts and cunning schemes, weaving intrigue and danger bene…
Level C1AdventureThe making of a manTwo brothers from the rugged Orkney Islands face limited prospects and dream of a new life in Canada’s untamed West.
Level C1AdventureThe lucky little stiffAmid the mud and chaos of 1917 France, three mismatched American aviators navigate military discipline, mistaken identities, and daring escapades behind enemy lines.
Level C1HistoricalThe loyalistsAmidst a nation on the brink of turmoil, explore the steadfast loyalty and virtues that sustain England through trials and upheaval, revealing the moral strength and sacrifices beh…
Level C1AdventureThe lost hunter: A tale of early timesIn a rugged land free from lords and slaves, bold thoughts and daring hands shape survival and friendship.
Level C1AdventureThe lively adventures of Gavin HamiltonAmid the frozen desolation of war-torn Silesia, a dashing French captain and a lone resilient soldier face starvation and relentless enemies.
Level C1HistoricalThe little capAmid the 1552 siege of Metz, a disciplined and honorable soldier wrestles with poverty and the harsh realities of war, striving to protect his family and uphold his integrity in a…
Level B2HistoricalThe little book of British quadrupedsExplore the fascinating traits and stories of British quadrupeds, from the hardy Kyloe Ox of Scotland to the noble Arabian racehorse, revealing their unique roles, behaviors, and e…
Level B2RomanceThe little Cuban rebelA young war correspondent aboard a steamer bound for Santiago de Cuba becomes captivated by a mysterious, beautiful stranger whose presence stirs unexpected feelings amid the loomi…
Level C1HistoricalThe literature of kissingExplore the rich history and cultural significance of kissing, from ancient biblical tales to heartfelt traditions across generations.
Level C1AdventureThe life of a celebrated buccaneerA daring buccaneer rules a rugged island fortress, turning treacherous coves into bustling ports teeming with ships, plunder, and peril.
Level C1AdventureThe last buccaneerIn 1708 Bristol, two friends encounter a mysterious seafarer with a curious treasure, drawing them into a world of intrigue and adventure where the line between merchant and pirate…
Level B2HistoricalThe kings and queens of England, with other poemsExplore the turbulent reigns of England’s monarchs from William the Norman to Bloody Mary, blending history and verse to reveal power struggles, legendary figures, and the human st…
Level C1RomanceThe king's ringAmidst the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War, a young surgeon abandons his ecclesiastical studies to join the battlefield, navigating loyalty, love, and survival in a world torn by…
Level C1HistoricalThe just stewardIn the vibrant, multicultural hub of ancient Alexandria during the vintage season, diverse peoples and traders converge amid the scars of past sieges.
Level C1HistoricalThe house of the wizardAmid the grandeur and hospitality of Mohun’s Ottery, a Devon fortress home to the noble Carew family during Henry VIII’s reign, tensions rise with political intrigue and personal t…
Level C1HistoricalThe house of five gablesAn ancestral mansion with five gables hides a storied past of wealth, wild excess, and looming ruin as its current master faces the collapse of his fortune and the haunting legacy…
Level C1AdventureThe hounds of GodA young nobleman imprisoned amid deadly court intrigues must navigate betrayal and ambition while grappling with the tragic downfall of a close friend entangled with Queen Elizabet…
Level C1HistoricalThe history of the harlequinade, volume 2 (of 2)Dive into the mischievous world of ancient comedy where cunning slaves, secret crimes, and duped old men collide in a house haunted by a dark past and lively intrigues, blending la…
Level C1HistoricalThe history of the harlequinade, volume 1 (of 2)Trace the vibrant evolution of comic theatre from ancient Greece’s lively mimes and acrobats to Rome’s spirited Atellan comedies, revealing the origins of the iconic Harlequin char…
Level C1HistoricalThe history of a tame robinA young robin narrates his early life, revealing a world where birds cautiously observe their human benefactors and experience unexpected kindness.
Level B2HistoricalThe hidden treasureIn 1527 Bridgewater, a kind-hearted baker supports a struggling family caught between old religious traditions and new beliefs, while his children face uncertain futures shaped by…
Level C1HistoricalThe great masters of Russian literature in the nineteenth centuryDive into the vivid world of 19th-century Russian literature, where a rebellious young writer breaks free from imitation to craft haunting tales inspired by folklore and legend, ca…
Level C1HistoricalThe great inquiryIn a parliamentary inquiry marked by sharp wit and fierce debates, industrialists and farmers clash over Britain's economic future, exposing the tensions beneath political politene…
Level C1RomanceThe great amuletA secret wedding in a quiet Swiss town binds two souls on the brink of a journey to far-off India, where love faces the trials of distance, culture, and duty.
Level B2AdventureThe great Pike's Peak rushAs thousands swarm toward the Pike's Peak gold fields in 1859, young Terry Richards faces a tempting choice between the hard life of the family ranch and the wild promise of striki…
Level C1HistoricalThe golden verses of PythagorasExplore the timeless wisdom of ancient Pythagorean teachings through poetic translations that reveal profound insights into destiny, providence, and the human soul’s journey.
Level B2AdventureThe gold rock of the ChippewaIn 1775 near the Great Lakes, two American brothers face judgment from a Chippewa tribe torn between hostility and hospitality.
Level C1AdventureThe frontiersmenIn the untamed wilderness of 1783 Western New York, frontier settlers and Native American tribes clash amid the turmoil of the Revolutionary War, where alliances shift and survival…
Level C1HistoricalThe friar of WittenbergAmid the opulent intrigue of the Vatican, a fiery friar from Wittenberg challenges the Church’s authority with a bold new faith, sparking tension among cardinals and nobles.
Level B2HistoricalThe freed boy in AlabamaIn post-Civil War Alabama, young Tom Alson wrestles with a choice between pursuing an education and accepting hard labor on a plantation.
Level B2HistoricalThe foster-sistersIn a sunlit convent in Provence, a young girl recalls her childhood filled with secret corners, whispered histories, and the gentle care of Mother Prudentia.
Level C1HistoricalThe forty-five guardsmenIn turbulent 1585 Paris, as crowds gather under closed gates and whispers of rebellion stir, a mysterious stranger observes the tense anticipation of an execution and the arrival o…
Level B2HistoricalThe fortunes of FifiIn 1804 Paris, Mademoiselle Fifi rises to become the leading lady of the Imperial Theater, navigating the treacherous world of ambition, flirtations, and power struggles behind the…
Level B2AdventureThe fort in the wildernessYoung hunters navigate the dangers of the Virginia wilderness amid rising tensions between settlers and Native tribes led by Chief Pontiac.
Level C1HistoricalThe foreign debt of English literatureExplore the rich tapestry of English literature shaped by diverse foreign influences—from Greek and Roman classics to Italian and French traditions—and discover how these cultural…
Level B2HistoricalThe fog princesIn a stately Welsh castle blending ancient grandeur with modern comforts, the Earl of St.
Level C1HistoricalThe flight of the heronIn the rugged Scottish Highlands of 1745, a young Highlander watches intently by a shimmering loch, caught between loyalty and secret fears.
Level C1HistoricalThe flame-gatherersIn 13th-century Mandu, a powerful Rajah returns victorious from battle, greeted by a diverse and loyal populace amid the plateau’s ancient palaces and fertile fields.
Level C1HistoricalThe fifth of NovemberIn snowy London, a shadowy tavern known as the Leopard hides a world of danger and intrigue amid ruffians and rogues.
Level C2HistoricalThe extraordinary confessions of Diana PleaseA captivating memoir unfolds as Diana Please, a woman of wit and passion, narrates her extraordinary life marked by romance, ambition, and scandal in a glittering age.
Level C1HistoricalThe epistle of Othea to Hector; or, The boke of knyghthodeIn a fragile 15th-century manuscript, a goddess imparts timeless lessons on knighthood and virtue to a legendary warrior, blending history, wisdom, and courtly life through the voi…