Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
3,785 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 Mesmerist's Victim, The Merry Men, and Other Tales and Fables and The Mercy of the Lord. 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.
- 3,785
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Level C1RomanceScaramouche: A Romance of the French RevolutionIn revolutionary France, the sharp-witted Andre-Louis Moreau navigates social injustice and political turmoil, challenging tyranny with his biting intellect and fearless spirit.
Level C1HistoricalSatire in the Victorian novelExplore the complex world of Victorian satire as it unfolds through the English novel, revealing a society caught between earnest reform and rigid convention, where humor and criti…
Level C1HistoricalSatanstoe; Or, the Littlepage Manuscripts. A Tale of the ColonyIn a rapidly changing colonial New York, personal passions and societal upheavals intertwine as the Littlepage family navigates the complex tensions of anti-rentism and emerging Am…
Level C1RomanceSaronia: A Romance of Ancient EphesusIn ancient Ephesus, a dignified slave named Saronia harbors a fierce spirit beneath her quiet exterior, caught between the splendor of her mistress’s home and the yearning for free…
Level C1RomanceSarita, the CarlistCaught in a tangled web of family ambition and romantic preference, a reluctant man is sent to Madrid as a diplomatic attaché while a wealthy widow’s heart defies his brother’s cal…
Level C1AdventureSarchedon: A Legend of the Great QueenIn the ancient deserts between the Tigris and Euphrates, a mighty lion faces death under the shadow of Babylon’s towering splendor, while a royal hunt led by a great queen unfolds—…
Level B1HistoricalSaratoga National Historical Park Junior Ranger ProgramStep into the heart of the American Revolution at Saratoga National Historical Park, where you become a Junior Ranger exploring the 1777 campaign that turned the tide against Briti…
Level C1HistoricalSaragossa: A Story of Spanish ValorAmid Spain’s struggle against Napoleon’s forces, the city of Saragossa stands as a symbol of fierce resistance and patriotism, where citizens rally with unyielding valor in a despe…
Level C1HistoricalSaracinescaIn 1865 Rome stands timeless, a city caught between ancient grandeur and modern change, where French soldiers mingle with Papal guards beneath the watchful gaze of Pope Pius IX.
Level C1HistoricalSapphoExplore the vibrant world of ancient Lesbos, where a flourishing culture shapes the life and lyric poetry of Sappho.
Level C1HistoricalSan kuo; or, Romance of the three kingdoms (volume 1 of 2)Amid the decline of the Han dynasty, sworn brothers Liu Pei, Kuan Yü, and Chang Fei unite to uphold their crumbling empire, sparking fierce battles and alliances that shape the tur…
Level C1HistoricalSamboe; or, The African BoyAn African boy’s journey unfolds against the brutal backdrop of the slave trade, revealing the harrowing realities of bondage and the enduring hope for freedom amid cruelty and opp…
Level C1AdventureSamba: A Story of the Rubber Slaves of the CongoIn the heart of the Congo, young Samba faces the brutal reality of the rubber trade that enslaves his people and ravages the land.
Level B2HistoricalSam's Chance, and How He Improved ItAt fifteen, Sam Barker drifts through the streets of New York until a chance good deed offers him a job as an errand boy—if only he can find the means to dress the part and leave h…
Level C1AdventureSalute to AdventurersIn a turbulent 1685 Scotland, a young man leaves his troubled home and secretive family life to pursue education in Edinburgh, embarking on a journey filled with political strife,…
Level C1HistoricalSally DowsAmid the chaos of a fierce Civil War battle, a lone artillery unit holds its ground against relentless assaults, with the eerie charge of a riderless horse foreshadowing the grim t…
Level C1HistoricalSalammboAmidst the opulent gardens of Hamilcar's palace, soldiers from diverse nations gather to feast and revel, their cultures clashing and blending under the Mediterranean sun.
Level C1HistoricalSaint Patrick: 1887In a gritty urban neighborhood where dance halls and missions collide, a Saint Patrick's Day festival emerges as a beacon of hope and unity amid tension, temptation, and cultural d…
Level C1HistoricalSaint JoanA fiercely determined village girl claims divine guidance to lead France against its enemies, challenging kings, generals, and churchmen alike with her unyielding spirit and revolu…
Level C1AdventureSaint Bartholomew's Eve: A Tale of the Huguenot WarsAmid the brutal religious wars of 16th-century France, a Huguenot landowner flees persecution and begins anew with fellow refugees in England.
Level C1AdventureSailor Jack, the TraderCaught between duty and fear, Tom Randolph faces conscription amid the turmoil of the Civil War, struggling to protect his fellow Home Guards from harsh Confederate demands while g…
Level C1RomanceSaga of Halfred the Sigskald: A Northern Tale of the Tenth CenturyIn a land where elves and legends mingle, Halfred, a fierce Viking and unmatched skald, sets sail on his enchanted ship, the Singing Swan, to win glory through battles and song acr…
Level C1HistoricalSac-Au-Dos: 1907A young man, freshly graduated and disillusioned with law, finds himself conscripted into the chaotic French army during the Franco-Prussian War, thrust into the raw confusion and…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding in the Red Cross; Or, Doing Her Best for Uncle SamAs young men rush to training camps during wartime, Ruth Fielding packs supplies for the Red Cross while grappling with fears for her friend’s twin brother and the uncertain toll o…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at the War Front; or, The Hunt for the Lost SoldierAmid the distant thunder of war and the roar of planes, a determined Red Cross worker navigates the tense front lines, driven by hope and duty.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding Homeward Bound; Or, A Red Cross Worker's Ocean PerilsA Red Cross worker and her friends reminisce over tea, dreaming of home while navigating the perils of war and secret missions in France.
Level C1HistoricalRussian literatureExplore the vibrant world of 19th-century Russian literature, where poetry, novels, and drama intertwine with social and political ideals, revealing the nation's unique voice amid…
Level C1AdventureRupert of Hentzau: From The Memoirs of Fritz Von Tarlenheim: Sequel to The Prisoner of ZendaIn a kingdom still shadowed by past conspiracies, a cunning exile plots to reclaim his lost power through espionage and revenge, threatening the fragile peace and the secrets that…
Level C1AdventureRunnymede and Lincoln FairAmid the turbulent times of 13th-century England, Oliver Icingla, descendant of Saxon chiefs, navigates the fierce political struggles surrounding Magna Carta, revealing the birth…
Level B2AdventureRunning FoxA determined young Delaware warrior seeks to prove his courage by uncovering the mysterious power of a deadly Mohawk war-leader, embarking on a perilous journey into enemy territor…
Level C1AdventureRung Ho! A NovelIn a restless colonial city simmering with tension, a determined young woman rides alone through a hostile crowd, shadowed by a mysterious protector with a dangerous past.
Level C1HistoricalRule of the Monk; Or, Rome in the Nineteenth CenturyIn 19th-century Rome, amidst conspiracies, exile, and rebellion, a fierce struggle unfolds against the oppressive Papal rule.
Level B2AdventureRujub, the JugglerAmid the chaos of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny in India, a young, fearful soldier confronts his deepest fears and uncovers the mysterious arts of Rujub, a juggler whose secret powers blen…
Level B2HistoricalRufus and Rose; Or, The Fortunes of Rough and ReadyA resourceful street boy, Rufus, rises from newsboy to Wall Street employee while protecting his sister Rose from their harmful stepfather.
Level C1AdventureRudyard KiplingDive into an exploration of a writer who captures the heroic life of engineers, soldiers, and adventurers with literary craft and vivid realism, revealing the art behind tales of e…
Level B2HistoricalRudy and Babette; Or, The Capture of the Eagle's NestIn the breathtaking Swiss Alps, young Rudy navigates towering mountains, snowy glaciers, and deep valleys, guided by his loyal dog and clever cat as he discovers the wild beauty an…
Level B2AdventureRuby Roland, the Girl Spy; or, Simon Kenton's ProtegeAmid the tense wilderness of old Kentucky, a skilled young hunter named Simon Kenton navigates dangerous territory alone, relying on sharp instincts and cunning to survive as he em…
Level C1HistoricalRoyal HighnessIn a somber capital city, a young lieutenant defies rigid military protocol by commanding unexpected respect from a decorated general, revealing the complex burdens of royal duty c…
Level C1RomanceRowena & Harold: A Romance in Rhyme of an Olden Time, of Hastyngs and NormanhurstIn a land of fierce feuds and forbidden love, a proud maiden defies her Norman father's will to follow her heart for a noble Saxon knight.
Level C1HistoricalRousseau (Volume 1 and 2)Follow the turbulent life and revolutionary ideas of Rousseau, whose writings on society, education, and government challenge the conventions of his time and ignite political and i…
Level C1HistoricalRoundabout to Boston (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)A struggling writer in Venice during the American Civil War navigates literary rejection while forging connections with prominent Boston intellectuals and historians, capturing the…
Level B2FantasyRound-about Rambles in Lands of Fact and FancyEmbark on whimsical journeys through forests, ancient cities, and skies, encountering curious creatures, mysterious wonders, and enchanting tales that blend fact with fantasy in de…
Level B2RomanceRound Anvil Rock: A RomanceIn the shadow of ancient cottonwoods along the wide, peaceful river bends of 1811 Kentucky, a tender romance unfolds amid the whispers of the wilderness and the echoes of vanished…
Level B2RomanceRose o' the RiverA river-bound community stirs to life as Stephen Waterman, a true child of the Saco, embraces the river’s beauty and the promise of a new day—where nature’s charms mingle with the…
Level C1HistoricalRose Mather: A taleAs the nation plunges into civil war, a small village unites under the Stars and Stripes, where families face heart-wrenching choices between duty and love.
Level C1HistoricalRose D'Albret; or, Troublous Times.In a turbulent era where chivalry masks harsh realities, a young heiress struggles against the ruthless feudal system that binds her fate—and marriage—to the will of guardians and…
Level C1HistoricalRosamund, Queen of the Lombards: A TragedyIn the summer heat of 573 Verona, the Lombard king Albovine wrestles with doubts of love and loyalty as his queen, Rosamund, navigates court intrigues and forbidden desires, settin…
Level C1HistoricalRookwoodIn a world of intrigue and romance, daring exploits unfold against the backdrop of historic England, where secrets and legends intertwine.