Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
2,991 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 The Bush Boys: History and Adventures of a Cape Farmer and his Family, The Burial of the Guns and The Burgomaster's Wife — Complete. 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.
- 2,991
- books
Level B1HistoricalLucia Rudini: Somewhere in ItalyIn a hilltop Italian village surrounded by ancient walls, spirited Lucia Rudini navigates the tensions of war and daily life, guarding her beloved goats and engaging with soldiers…
Level C1RomanceLovers' Saint Ruth's, and Three Other TalesIn a quiet English village, a chance reunion sparks a journey into the past, where ancient ruins and whispered legends of Lovers' Saint Ruth's reveal secrets of love, loss, and his…
Level C1HistoricalLoveday's historyAmid the upheaval of religious reforms, a young orphan girl’s life is upended when her destined convent is dissolved, forcing her into a world of new guardians and uncertain future…
Level C1RomanceLove-at-armsIn a tense mountain hideout, six nobles await a secret visitor whose arrival is shadowed by danger and betrayal.
Level C1RomanceLove's labor wonAt a grand reception in the new American Republic, the captivating Marguerite De Lancie commands attention with her striking beauty and fierce independence, navigating a world of p…
Level C1RomanceLove under FireCaught behind enemy lines with crucial intelligence to deliver, a lone soldier risks everything amid whispers of danger and duty.
Level B2RomanceLove and tea: A comedy-drama of colonial times in two actsIn a colonial village torn by revolution, a tea-loving spinster’s secret habit sparks conflict and romance as her niece’s engagement to a fiery Minuteman challenges loyalties.
Level C1RomanceLove and Life: An Old Story in Eighteenth Century CostumeIn eighteenth-century England, a maiden named Psyche is whisked away to a mysterious palace by a secretive husband whose love and identity remain hidden—until curiosity and jealous…
Level C1HistoricalLove Among the RuinsIn a forest ablaze with betrayal and violence, a young woman kneels amid the ruins of her fallen family, caught in the deadly feud that has shattered her world.
Level B2AdventureLouise de la VallièreAmid the intrigue-filled court of 1661 France, a young woman named Louise de la Vallière navigates love, loyalty, and danger as the legendary D’Artagnan and his companions face pol…
Level C1HistoricalLouisa of Prussia and Her Times: A Historical NovelAmid the terror of Napoleon’s relentless advance on Vienna, the city reels under news of defeat and betrayal as imperial coffins roll through the streets.
Level B2AdventureLost with Lieutenant Pike: How from the Pawnee Village the boy named Scar Head marched with the young American Chief clear into the Snowy Mountains; how in the dead of winter they searched for the Lost River and thought that they had found it; and how the Spanish Soldiery came upon them and took them down to Santa Fé of New Mexico, where another surprise awaited themA young lieutenant leads a daring expedition through the snowy mountains in search of the legendary Lost River, facing starvation, freezing cold, and the threat of Spanish soldiers…
Level B2AdventureLost in the Cañon: The Story of Sam Willett's Adventures on the Great Colorado of the WestIn the rugged wilderness of Southwestern Colorado, a young hunter named Sam Willett and his companions brave towering cliffs and scarce resources to capture a rare mountain bighorn…
Level B2HistoricalLost GipIn the sweltering alleys of London’s East End, a compassionate boy named Sandy clings to the fragile hope embodied in a newborn baby girl amidst poverty and despair.
Level B2RomanceLorraine: A RomanceIn the shadowed forests of Lorraine, a fierce young woman confronts strangers mapping her land, suspecting a brewing war across the border.
Level B2AdventureLords of the World: A story of the fall of Carthage and CorinthAs Carthage faces its final days against the rising power of Rome, a sacred ship races homeward, pursued by a relentless Roman warship.
Level C1AdventureLords of the NorthIn the early 19th century, fur traders and voyageurs of the North-West Company navigate fierce rivalries and untamed wilderness, shaping a vast empire from the Atlantic to the Paci…
Level C1AdventureLord Tony's Wife: An Adventure of the Scarlet PimpernelPassion ignites in pre-revolutionary Nantes as Pierre rallies villagers to revolt against aristocratic tyranny, fueled by injustice and the burning desire for equality.
Level C1RomanceLord Montagu's Page: An Historical RomanceIn the turbulent seventeenth century, loyalty, love, and ambition intertwine as a young page navigates the intrigues and passions surrounding Lord Montagu’s world.
Level C1AdventureLone Pine: The Story of a Lost MineUnder the silver moon of a New Mexican pueblo, young lovers Felipe and Josefa face a desperate countdown as Josefa's father arranges a forced marriage.
Level C1HistoricalLondon Pride, Or, When the World Was YoungerAmid the bitter turmoil of England’s civil war, a weary cavalier and his young daughter flee to exile, carrying the weight of lost honor, shattered loyalty, and a kingdom in mourni…
Level C1AdventureLolóma, or two years in cannibal-land: A story of old FijiJourney into the heart of old Fiji, where ancient customs thrive and cannibal tribes rule the land, as one man chronicles a vanishing world untouched by civilization and filled wit…
Level B1AdventureLodrix, the Little Lake DwellerIn a hidden lake village high in the mountains, young Lodrix, son of the chief, faces the threat of war as the Bear tribe plans to burn their homes.
Level C1RomanceLochinvar: A NovelAmid the wild lands of Galloway in 1685, a strong-willed widow stirs unrest at Balmaghie House, where a silent gardener resists the charms of a determined handmaiden, setting the s…
Level C1AdventureLoaves and fishesAmid the brutal siege of Saragossa, a resourceful young captain embarks alone on a perilous mission to find salt in the Pyrenees' rugged hills, where danger and unexpected encounte…
Level C1HistoricalLives of the Poets, Volume 1Explore the lives and works of England’s greatest poets through candid biographies that reveal their characters, controversies, and the moral lessons behind their art, all delivere…
Level C1HistoricalLives of the English Poets: Gay, Thomson, Young, Gray, &c.Explore the lives and works of English poets from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, revealing their literary contributions, personal struggles, and the cultural backdrop of t…
Level B2HistoricalLive to be Useful: or, The Story of Annie Lee and her Irish NurseConfined by illness but rich in compassion, Annie Lee seeks to transform her suffering into purpose by reaching out to a struggling Irish family, determined to bring hope and faith…
Level B2HistoricalLittle soldiers allAs war erupts, a young girl from India is sent to live with her English relatives, testing the bonds of family and culture amid uncertain times.
Level B2HistoricalLittle Sister SnowIn a serene Japanese garden, young Yuki Chan faces the consequences of her mischief on the special Festival of Dolls, a day when tradition and family love intertwine amid humble me…
Level B2RomanceLittle Robins' Love One to AnotherIn a charming countryside setting, the lively Robin family navigates lessons of behavior, kindness, and family dynamics as young Jack tests boundaries and each bird learns the valu…
Level B1HistoricalLittle Robins Learning to FlyA curious boy discovers a robin caring for another bird's nest, sparking a gentle exploration of kindness and cooperation in nature.
Level B1HistoricalLittle Prudy's Captain HoraceIn a quiet Indiana town, young Horace dreams of becoming a soldier while his sister Grace imagines angelic harps under starry skies.
Level B2HistoricalLittle Paulina: Christmas in RussiaIn the bleak Russian winter, a determined young girl braves snow and danger to reach her exiled father, guided by a lost stranger whose own hardships intertwine with her perilous j…
Level C1AdventureLittle Oskaloo; or, The White WhirlwindAmid the looming clash between Native tribes and advancing American forces in 1794, two warriors navigate a perilous frontier where alliances, revenge, and survival intertwine.
Level C1HistoricalLittle MetacometIn the peaceful New England woods before King Philip's War, a young Native American boy named Little Metacomet explores nature and the complex world around him, meeting pioneers an…
Level B2HistoricalLittle Men: Life at Plumfield With Jo's BoysA ragged boy arrives at Plumfield, a welcoming home buzzing with lively children and warm lights, where Aunt Jo’s boys learn, play, and grow together.
Level C1HistoricalLittle Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 7: Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent OratorsExplore the lives of history’s greatest orators through intimate letters and stories, from Pericles’ poignant farewell to Aspasia to Heinrich Schliemann’s passionate quest uncoveri…
Level C1HistoricalLittle Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 05: Little Journeys to the Homes of English AuthorsFollow the early life and artistic awakening of William Morris, as he forges a deep friendship at Oxford and champions visionary ideas that challenge the norms of Victorian society…
Level B2HistoricalLittle HomespunIn a sunny Virginia homestead by the sparkling Potomac, a beloved grandmother and her spirited grandson, Brevet-Captain Joe, embark on charming adventures that blend history with h…
Level B2HistoricalLittle GrandmotherBorn at the dawn of the 19th century in a small Maine town, a baby named Patience faces a world full of challenges and hope.
Level B2HistoricalLittle Daffydowndilly: (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")A carefree boy who loves beauty and play is forced to face the harsh discipline of a strict schoolmaster named Mr.
Level C1HistoricalLittle Annie's Ramble (From "Twice Told Tales")A curious little girl named Annie embarks on a lively ramble through a bustling town filled with exotic creatures, colorful shops, and enchanting sights.
Level C1HistoricalLiterature in the Making, by Some of Its MakersExplore candid conversations with renowned authors revealing their personal insights on writing, creativity, and the impact of war on literature, bridging the gap between literary…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary values, and other papersExplore the enduring essence of literature as this collection examines the timeless qualities that allow certain works and authors to transcend their era, highlighting the virtues…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary studies, volume 2 (of 2)Explore the rise and fall of the South-Sea Company through the lens of Edward Gibbon’s family history, revealing the wild speculation, financial mania, and political intrigue that…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary studies, volume 1 (of 2)Dive into a collection of essays revealing the imaginative mind behind sharp political and economic insights, blending humor, speculation, and vivid judgment to illuminate the comp…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary and Social EssaysExplore the tranquil life of Concord, Massachusetts—a quiet New England town untouched by industrial bustle, where the slow river winds through meadows and poets find inspiration a…