Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
2,040 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.
- 2,040
- books
Level C1AdventureDeering of Deal; Or, The Spirit of the SchoolA young Southern boy arrives late to Deal School, a storied academy steeped in family tradition and history, where he must navigate new challenges and forge his own path amid the e…
Level C1HistoricalDeep Waters; Or, A Strange StoryAmidst the grandeur of a Southern university commencement, a young orator captivates a crowd with a haunting speech on human sorrow, setting the stage for a remarkable journey thro…
Level C1HistoricalDeeds of Daring Done by GirlsIn a medieval castle, a spirited young lady defies expectations with her courage and wit, proving that daring deeds are not reserved for boys alone.
Level B2AdventureDecatur and SomersTwo young midshipmen embark on their first naval cruise aboard the formidable frigate United States, navigating the challenges of friendship, duty, and the perils of the sea in a t…
Level B2AdventureDeath-Dealer, the Shawnee Scourge; or The Wizard of the CliffsIn a tense frontier wilderness, a fierce scout known as the Death-Dealer relentlessly tracks Native American foes to protect settlers, driven by a grim past and unmatched survival…
Level C1HistoricalDeath comes for the archbishopIn 1848, a missionary bishop and three Cardinals gather in Rome to discuss establishing a new Apostolic Vicarate in the vast, untamed territory of New Mexico, where ancient faith s…
Level C1HistoricalDeadham Hard: A RomanceIn the shadowy world of Deadham Hard, a scholar seeks refuge in a house steeped in mystery and moral ambiguity, where rivers meet and secrets flow beneath the surface.
Level C1HistoricalDead Man's Plack and an Old ThornIn the quiet solitude of Hampshire's Harewood Forest, a chance encounter with a mysterious stone cross unravels a centuries-old legend about King Edgar and a fatal betrayal.
Level C1HistoricalDe Quincey's Revolt of the TartarsImmerse yourself in a richly imagined episode of Russian history as a brilliant and eccentric mind weaves vivid narrative from obscure sources, blending scholarly insight with impa…
Level C1HistoricalDe Libris: Prose and VerseExplore the rich history and curious associations behind rare books, from Bacon’s reflections on life to the artistic legacy of Thomas Bewick, uncovering captivating stories that l…
Level C1RomanceDe L'Orme.: The Works of G. P. R. James, Esq., Vol. XVI.A young man’s thirst for adventure draws him into perilous errors and bitter regrets in a tale that explores honor, virtue, and the harsh consequences of reckless ambition.
Level C1HistoricalDays Before historyStep back to prehistoric Britain, where hunters stalk the wild hills and ancient tribes craft stone weapons as they navigate a world of forests, rivers, and fierce rivalries.
Level B2FantasyDay of the DruidIn a fog-shrouded land, Gaar wrestles with restless longing and ancient legends of a sleeping beauty guarded by deadly Druids.
Level C1HistoricalDavid Fleming's ForgivenessTwo brothers carve out a thriving Canadian settlement from the wilderness, transforming a rugged frontier into a prosperous village.
Level C1AdventureDavid Balfour: Being Memoirs Of His Adventures At Home And Abroad, The Second Part: In Which Are Set Forth His Misfortunes Anent The Appin Murder; His Troubles With Lord Advocate Grant; Captivity On The Bass Rock; Journey Into Holland And France; And Singular Relations With James More Drummond Or Macgregor, A Son Of The Notorious Rob Roy, And His Daughter CatrionaAfter inheriting a lairdship and fortune, David Balfour navigates the treacherous streets of Edinburgh, caught between dangerous intrigues and his own uncertain fate.
Level A2AdventureDave Darrin on the Asiatic Station: Or, Winning Lieutenants' Commissions on the Admiral's FlagshipTwo young naval officers navigate perilous intrigue and fierce battles on the Asiatic Station, confronting treacherous foes and unraveling mysteries amid political unrest and dange…
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin at Vera Cruz: Fighting with the U.S. Navy in MexicoA young naval officer on a quiet New York evening stumbles upon a tense confrontation between a woman and a threatening man, setting the stage for a gripping adventure filled with…
Level A2AdventureDave Darrin and the German Submarines: Or, Making a Clean-up of the Hun Sea MonstersCaught in deadly cat-and-mouse naval battles, Dave Darrin hunts German submarines threatening the seas during wartime.
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin After the Mine Layers; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval BlowTwo destroyer commanders embark on a perilous naval mission off the Irish coast, navigating hidden mines and enemy threats in a tense World War I wartime cruise.
Level B2RomanceDaughters of the Revolution and Their Times: 1769 - 1776 A Historical RomanceAmid rising tensions before the American Revolution, the daughters and mothers of Boston lead a quiet but powerful resistance against British taxation, reshaping social life and st…
Level B2AdventureDaughters of the Dominion: A Story of the Canadian FrontierIn the rugged Canadian frontier, Nell tends to her injured dog while navigating the challenges of a lonely homestead and the mysterious threats lurking in the wilderness.
Level B2RomanceDaughters of Nijo: A Romance of JapanIn a province torn by political strife, a humble farmer’s new bride defies convention to glimpse the dazzling royal parade, sparking a tale of love, duty, and the clash between sim…
Level C1AdventureDastral of the Flying CorpsIn the midst of World War I’s fierce battles, a young English pilot named Dastral pushes the limits of daring aerial combat to earn his wings and face the deadly mastery of the ski…
Level C1RomanceDarnley; or, The Field of the Cloth of GoldAmid the winding roads of 16th-century Kent, a stalwart knight embarks on a journey filled with adventure and historical intrigue, set against the vibrant backdrop of King Henry VI…
Level C1HistoricalDarkness and Dawn; Or, Scenes in the Days of Nero. An Historic TaleIn the turbulent days of Nero’s Rome, a decadent pagan world faces the dawn of Christianity.
Level C1HistoricalDante: Six SermonsExplore the life and principles of Dante as a philosopher, poet, and social reformer driven by a passionate zeal to unite Italy and uplift humanity through virtue and truth, blendi…
Level C1HistoricalDante: His Times and His WorkExplore the turbulent political and social landscape of Dante’s Italy, revealing his complex worldview shaped by factional strife and elite society, while uncovering fresh scholarl…
Level C1HistoricalDante: "The Central Man of All the World": A Course of Lectures Delivered Before the Student Body of the New York State College for Teachers, Albany, 1919, 1920Explore Dante’s Divine Comedy through a journey across medieval Italy, uncovering timeless struggles of the human soul and the spiritual battles that shape every individual’s quest…
Level C1HistoricalDante. An essay. To which is added a translation of De Monarchia.Explore the origins and impact of the Divina Commedia, tracing the personal history and political context behind Dante's monumental work and his treatise De Monarchia, illuminating…
Level C1HistoricalDante and the early astronomersExplore the captivating intersection of astronomy and poetry as a medieval scholar turns to ancient texts and celestial wonders for solace and enlightenment, revealing the profound…
Level C1HistoricalDanteStep into the turbulent world of 12th and 13th-century Italy, where the clash between emperors and popes shapes emerging city-states and fierce political factions.
Level B2HistoricalDaniraAfter a fierce storm, a young Austrian officer arrives at a remote, mountainous harbor where danger and mystery await.
Level C1HistoricalDaniel DefoeAn extraordinary man of action and letters, he leads a life as adventurous as his famed characters, navigating rebellion, commerce, espionage, and literary fame.
Level B2AdventureDaniel Boone, BackwoodsmanVenture into the untamed American frontier alongside Daniel Boone, a fearless backwoodsman whose explorations and battles shape the westward expansion.
Level C1MysteryDanger! and Other StoriesA small European navy captain reveals how England’s mighty fleet is rendered powerless when a hidden threat exploits its overlooked vulnerabilities, forcing a nation to confront th…
Level B2MysteryDan, the NewsboyA determined newsboy struggles to support his ailing mother after his father's financial ruin and death, while harboring a fierce desire to find the man who betrayed his family.
Level C1RomanceDaisy in the FieldTorn between duty and heartbreak, a young woman struggles to focus on her studies as the harsh realities of war and love collide around her.
Level B2HistoricalDaddy Jake the Runaway, and Short Stories Told after DarkIn 1863 Georgia, trusted carriage-driver Daddy Jake shocks a plantation by running away after a fierce clash with a new overseer.
Level C1HistoricalDadIn the aftermath of the Mexican-American War, a grand military pageant celebrates the American victory while revealing the complex tension between conquerors and conquered.
Level C1AdventureD'Ri and I: A Tale of Daring Deeds in the Second War with the British.: Being the Memoirs of Colonel Ramon Bell, U.S.A.In a rugged northern wilderness during the early 19th century, a daring Yankee pioneer and a French-descended soldier navigate the harsh frontier and the turmoil of war with Britai…
Level C1AdventureCædwalla; or, The Saxons in the Isle of Wight: A TaleAmidst the turbulent seventh-century Isle of Wight, a fierce Saxon warrior named Cædwalla rises, navigating battles, faith, and shifting loyalties in a land where law and culture b…
Level C1HistoricalCyropaedia: The Education of CyrusExplore the art of leadership through the life of Cyrus, whose rare ability to gain willing obedience from diverse peoples challenges the notion that ruling men is impossible.
Level C1HistoricalCyrano de BergeracAmid the lively bustle of 17th-century Paris, actors, musketeers, and pickpockets gather at the Hotel de Bourgogne for a theatrical performance, where wit, romance, and intrigue in…
Level C2RomanceCymbelineIn a kingdom shadowed by sorrow and banishment, a princess defies royal expectations by marrying a humble gentleman, igniting tensions that stir hearts and courts alike.
Level B2AdventureCutlass and CudgelA young midshipman aboard His Majesty’s cutter patrols a misty, treacherous coast to uncover the secrets of elusive smugglers.
Level C1AdventureCuster's Last Shot; or, The Boy Trailer of the Little HornA rugged ranger confronts a fierce Indian chief while seeking answers about a missing ally, igniting a tense standoff on the wild frontier.
Level C2HistoricalCursory Observations on the Poems Attributed to Thomas Rowley (1782)Dive into the heated 18th-century debate over the authenticity of poems attributed to a mysterious 15th-century priest, as expert analysis unpacks linguistic and historical clues t…
Level C1HistoricalCurious Myths of the Middle AgesImmerse yourself in haunting medieval legends where cursed figures like the Wandering Jew roam endlessly, burdened by their past and seeking elusive rest.