Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
2,038 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 Motion pictures, 1940-1949, Mother of Pearl and Moscow: A Story of the French Invasion of 1812. 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.
- 2,038
- books
Level C1HistoricalMiss Eden's LettersExplore the witty and insightful letters of a politically engaged woman navigating the intrigues of 19th-century society and family life, revealing the intimate world behind histor…
Level B2RomanceMiss DexieAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, a New England family grapples with divided loyalties as a man must confront his Southern-born mother's opposition to his Union enlistment, while…
Level C1HistoricalMiss Cheyne of Essilmont, Volume 3 (of 3)Amid the dense jungles and brutal conflicts of the Ashantee War, soldiers face fierce battles, strange omens, and the harsh realities of colonial warfare.
Level C1RomanceMiss Cheyne of Essilmont, Volume 1 (of 3)A chance meeting between Alison Cheyne, the last of her line, and Captain Goring, a soldier bound by loss and duty, sparks a connection amid the thrill of a royal hunt and the shad…
Level B2HistoricalMiss Ashton's New Pupil: A School Girl's StoryA young girl from a remote missionary family arrives late at an esteemed eastern academy for young ladies, facing the challenges of fitting into a world far different from her own.
Level C1HistoricalMiscellaneous Writings and Speeches — Volume 4Experience the fierce political battles and eloquent speeches that shaped a turbulent era, as one statesman reflects on contentious debates, personal rivalries, and the struggle to…
Level C1HistoricalMiscellaneous Writings and Speeches — Volume 3Explore the vivid political, ecclesiastical, and literary history of England through captivating essays and poems, including incisive biographies, stirring epitaphs, and eloquent d…
Level C2HistoricalMirror for Magistrates, Volume 2, Part 2Explore the lives and fates of ten renowned princes through poetic histories that blend careful scholarship with vivid storytelling, offering moral lessons drawn from the triumphs…
Level C1HistoricalMirror for Magistrates, Volume 2, Part 1Explore a vivid reflection on governance where the fate of princes and magistrates reveals how ambition, justice, and corruption shape the destiny of a realm.
Level C1HistoricalMirror for Magistrates, Volume 1Amidst England's turbulent reigns, a poetic chronicle unfolds, tracing the fates of nobles and commoners alike, offering a mirror to history’s lessons.
Level C1HistoricalMirk Abbey, Volume 1 (of 3)On a snowy Christmas Eve at Mirk Abbey, a widowed lady haunted by memories of lost love contemplates her unusual past—from shipwreck survivor to elegant matron—unfolding a tale of…
Level C1HistoricalMiriam: A Tale of Pole Moor and the Greenfield HillsIn 1829, amidst the rugged moors of Yorkshire, an unlikely friendship forms between a towering laborer and a reluctant apprentice clothier.
Level B2HistoricalMiracle Gold: A Novel (Vol. 1 of 3)Caught in a relentless summer rain and missing the last train to London, a young woman races through a dim, deserted road, desperate to return unnoticed to Eltham House.
Level C1HistoricalMinstrelsy of the Scottish border, Volume 1Journey through the turbulent Scottish borders, where fierce clans and noble houses clash in a saga of valor, betrayal, and shifting power.
Level C1HistoricalMinstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 2 (of 3): Consisting of Historical and Romantic Ballads, Collected in the Southern Counties of Scotland; with a Few of Modern Date, Founded Upon Local TraditionAmid the turbulent backdrop of 17th-century Scotland, where fierce religious and civil wars shape the land, discover ballads that capture the clash between monarchy and church, tra…
Level C1HistoricalMinnie's SacrificeIn the shadow of slavery’s cruelty, a young girl vows to protect an innocent child of mixed blood, challenging the harsh realities that bind them all.
Level C1HistoricalMinnie's Pet ParrotA young girl named Minnie finds joy and comfort in the company of her many pets, from a tortoise-shell kitten to a silver-gray parrot, as she learns about kindness and the wonders…
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet MonkeyA lively monkey named Jacko, rescued from a ship's voyage, wins the heart of young Minnie with his playful antics and clever charm.
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet LambA tender bond forms between Minnie and Nannie, a South Down lamb who finds comfort and friendship in a gentle Shetland pony named Star.
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet HorseA young girl’s gentle bond with her Shetland pony, Star, unfolds amidst pastoral charm, where loyalty and affection bloom alongside tales of remarkable animal friendships.
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet DogA gentle spaniel named Tiney navigates friendship, mischief, and loyalty in a cozy household, revealing the tender bonds between a girl and her beloved dog amid summer frolics and…
Level B2HistoricalMinnie's Pet CatA tender tale unfolds as Minnie shares a deep bond with her graceful tortoise-shell cat, Fidelle, whose loyalty and affection brighten the child's days and adventures amid the gent…
Level C1HistoricalMilton's EnglandExplore the vibrant world of 17th-century London through the eyes of John Milton, tracing the city's transformation amid political upheaval, literary genius, and the fight for free…
Level C1HistoricalMiltonA remarkable discovery of John Milton’s long-lost Latin manuscript sparks a deep exploration into his rebellious mind and controversial religious doctrines, revealing the fiercely…
Level B2AdventureMilly's errandTwo determined brothers gather seaweed to help their bedridden mother, while a mysterious, tormented doctor battles inner demons near their storm-threatened coastal village.
Level C1AdventureMilitary Memoirs of Capt. George CarletonAn English captain’s firsthand account reveals daring naval battles and sieges across Europe and Spain during the turbulent reigns of King Charles and King James II.
Level C1HistoricalMidwinter: Certain Travellers in Old EnglandIn 1763, a curious manuscript emerges, revealing secret episodes from Samuel Johnson’s life and his complex feelings about Scotland during turbulent times.![Cover of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete by Gilbert Parker](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da63fmi7a4gs73ek2680.webp)
Level C1RomanceMichel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — CompleteAmidst the turmoil of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, a tender romance unfolds between Michel de la Foret and Angele Aubert, whose love story is pieced together from faded letters and chu…
Level C1AdventureMichael Strogoff; Or, The Courier of the CzarAmidst a glittering palace fête, urgent news arrives of a severed telegraph line and a missing dispatch from Tomsk, thrusting an officer of the Czar into a tense mission through a…
Level B2HistoricalMichael Penguyne; Or, Fisher Life on the Cornish CoastA young fisherman on the rugged Cornish coast learns a life-changing secret from his father figure, setting him on a journey of identity, loyalty, and the harsh realities of the se…
Level B2HistoricalMichaelMichael, a man of quiet strength and refined taste, surprises his cousin Francis by resigning his army commission, setting the stage for a story about courage, friendship, and the…
Level C1HistoricalMicah Clarke: His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734Amidst the turbulent aftermath of the Stuart reign, a veteran recounts his youth in a Hampshire village divided by faith and conflict, revealing the fierce battles and personal sac…
Level B2AdventureMetipom's hostageIn the tense early days of King Philip’s War, sixteen-year-old David Lindall wakes to a mysterious red glow signaling danger nearby.
Level C1AdventureMesser Marco PoloA young man is summoned to care for a mysterious ninety-year-old Ulster clansman living far from home, sparking a journey steeped in haunting Irish legends, ancient traditions, and…
Level C1HistoricalMerry TalesAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, a group of inexperienced men form the Marion Rangers, a makeshift militia led by a spirited young captain and a second lieutenant caught between…
Level C1HistoricalMerrie England in the Olden Time, Vol. 2Step into the lively world of Tudor England, where ballad-singers, festive garlands, and Queen Elizabeth's spirited escapades paint a vivid picture of merriment, music, and the col…
Level C1HistoricalMere literature, and other essaysExplore the clash between scientific skepticism and the enduring power of literature as this collection examines how education shapes our understanding of classic works, challengin…
Level C1AdventureMercedes of Castile; Or, The Voyage to CathaySet in 15th-century Spain, this adventure follows the perilous voyage inspired by Columbus’s quest to reach Cathay, intertwining historical figures and untold stories amid treacher…
Level C1HistoricalMenotah: A Tale of the Riel RebellionAmidst the shadowed forests of the Canadian North-West, a passionate tale unfolds, revealing the harsh realities behind the Riel Rebellion and the struggle for justice faced by Ind…
Level C1HistoricalMenexenusExplore the intricate debates surrounding the authenticity of ancient writings attributed to a legendary philosopher, as scholars weigh evidence, tradition, and style to distinguis…
Level C1HistoricalMen, Women, and BooksExplore the sharp contrasts in the life and work of Dean Swift, whose biting wit and coarse humor clash with moments of genuine affection and literary brilliance.
Level C1HistoricalMen, Women and GunsAmid the shattered fields and silent trenches near Ypres, experience the harrowing reality of war through vivid depictions of shelling, shattered villages, and the tense moments be…
Level C1FantasyMen of IronIn a turbulent England shadowed by plots and betrayals, young Myles Falworth faces the fallout of his father’s downfall and blindness, navigating danger and loyalty amid the ruthle…
Level C1HistoricalMen in WarAmid the quiet charm of a small Austrian town, the brutal realities of war seep in as wounded soldiers gather in a secluded hospital garden, caught between the haunting echoes of b…
Level C1HistoricalMemories of Jane Cunningham Croly, "Jenny June"Explore the inspiring life and legacy of Jane Cunningham Croly, a pioneering woman whose vibrant personality and tireless efforts shaped the women’s club movement in America.
Level C1HistoricalMemories grave and gayDive into a rich tapestry of 19th-century philanthropy and family life, where heroic deeds, intellectual salons, and heartfelt memories intertwine in the lives of Dr.
Level C1HistoricalMemoirs of the Life of the Rt. Hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan — Volume 02Dive into the turbulent political and personal life of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, from fiery parliamentary speeches and dramatic theatre management to royal intrigues and revolutio…
Level C1HistoricalMemoirs of the Life of the Rt. Hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan — Volume 01Explore the early life and literary beginnings of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, born into a family of celebrated authors and educators, as he navigates education, family influences, a…