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 C1HistoricalMemoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 5 (of 10)Delve into the vibrant literary world of the early 19th century, following a passionate collector of ancient lore who aids a renowned author by unearthing ballads, local legends, a…
Level C1HistoricalMemoirs of a Surrey Labourer: A Record of the Last Years of Frederick BettesworthA weathered Surrey labourer shares vivid tales of village life, work, and fading strength, revealing a poignant glimpse into the passing of an era through his candid conversations…
Level C1AdventureMemoirs of a Cavalier: A Military Journal of the Wars in Germany, and the Wars in England.: From the Year 1632 to the Year 1648.A young gentleman embarks on a perilous journey from Oxford to the battlefields of Europe, serving as a volunteer officer in the Swedish army before fighting for King Charles I dur…
Level C1AdventureMemoirs of Major Alexander Ramkins (1718)A young Highland officer joins the fierce battles and political intrigues of 17th-century Europe, revealing the harsh realities of war, loyalty, and cunning diplomacy through his t…![Cover of Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 1 of 2]: With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and Philosophical, Selected with Care from All His Published Productions, and Comprising Whatever Is Most Entertaining and Valuable to the General Reader by Benjamin Franklin](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeudh8e1ofc73dh9d1g.webp)
Level C1HistoricalMemoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 1 of 2]: With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and Philosophical, Selected with Care from All His Published Productions, and Comprising Whatever Is Most Entertaining and Valuable to the General ReaderRising from humble beginnings, a self-taught printer’s apprentice shares the secrets of his extraordinary journey to wealth, wisdom, and influence.
Level C1HistoricalMemoirs and resolutions of Adam Graeme of Mossgray, including some chronicles of the borough of FendieBorn into solitude and sorrow, Adam Graeme of Mossgray reflects on a life shaped by loss, a distant father, and the haunting legacy of his ancestral home.
Level C1HistoricalMemoirsA reflective scholar recounts his candid journey from a Quaker childhood in Philadelphia to scholarly pursuits across Europe, offering intimate glimpses into the transformative 19t…
Level C1FantasyMelmoth the Wanderer, Vol. 3Trapped in a shadowy chamber filled with ominous symbols, a young man faces a harrowing choice between faiths under his father's intense and desperate guidance—an intense struggle…
Level C1HistoricalMedieval rhetoric and poetic to 1400Explore the evolution of medieval rhetoric and poetry through key texts and teachings that shaped education, literature, and composition up to 1400.
Level C1HistoricalMedieval English LiteratureExplore the rich tapestry of medieval English literature, tracing its roots from Gothic art to legendary tales like those of Arthur and Dante, revealing how curiosity and history i…
Level C1HistoricalMedical Thoughts of ShakespeareExplore the rich medical insights woven through Shakespeare’s plays, revealing his deep understanding of physicians, diseases, and treatments from nervous disorders to surgical pra…
Level C1HistoricalMediaeval TalesDive into a rich tapestry of medieval romance and legend, from the heroic deeds of Charlemagne and Roland to spirited Spanish ballads and timeless tales of Faustus, blending histor…
Level C1AdventureMazeppaTwo young cousins, Mazeppa and his rival, navigate the treacherous world of Polish court life and Cossack loyalty, caught between education, ambition, and the fight for independenc…
Level C1HistoricalMayan NomenclatureExplore the intricate vigesimal systems used by the Maya to count days and years, uncovering the nuanced debates among scholars over their calendar nomenclature and the ancient evi…
Level B2AdventureMavericksIn a sunlit mountain valley, a fierce young teacher confronts a bold rider whose playful kiss sparks a fiery clash of pride and passion.
Level C1AdventureMaurice Tiernay, Soldier of FortuneCaught in the turbulent days of revolution and war, Maurice Tiernay navigates loyalty, honor, and fortune as a soldier amid historic battles and shifting allegiances.
Level C1AdventureMatilda Montgomerie; Or, The Prophecy FulfilledAmid the tranquil beauty of Amherstburg on the eve of the War of 1812, tensions rise as a small frontier fortress and its surrounding wilderness become the stage for a gripping tal…
Level C1HistoricalMatelda and the cloister of HellfdeIn a 13th-century convent near Mansfeldt, the devout Matelda and her companions navigate spiritual revelations and divine teachings within the cloister's walls, offering a profound…
Level C1HistoricalMated from the Morgue: A Tale of the Second EmpireIn the cold, damp streets of 1866 Paris’s Latin Quarter, a proud but penniless young man grapples with hunger, poverty, and shattered ambitions.
Level C1HistoricalMasters of the GuildIn a lively medieval castle, a young pigeon keeper with a special bond to his birds crosses paths with a wandering troubadour, setting the stage for tales of loyalty, music, and th…
Level C1HistoricalMasters of the English Novel: A Study of Principles and PersonalitiesExplore the evolution of the English novel through the lenses of realism and romanticism, tracing the cultural and intellectual shifts that shaped its masters and their timeless st…
Level C1HistoricalMasterpieces of Negro Eloquence: The Best Speeches Delivered by the Negro from the days of: Slavery to the Present TimeExplore powerful speeches that chronicle the journey from slavery to freedom, capturing the voices and hopes of African Americans as they claim their rightful place in history and…
Level C1HistoricalMaster Olof: A Drama in Five ActsAmid the turmoil of 16th-century Sweden’s fight for independence and religious reform, a bold clergy member challenges the established Catholic order, igniting fierce conflicts bet…
Level C1HistoricalMaster Humphrey's ClockIn a cozy chamber, Master Humphrey and his friends gather to share tales that weave together fiction and friendship, inviting readers into a world where stories come alive by the t…
Level C1HistoricalMassacre at ParisAmid political and religious turmoil in 16th-century France, royal alliances mask deadly plots as noble houses clash over power and faith.
Level B2AdventureMass' George: A Boy's Adventures in the Old SavannahA young boy embarks on a perilous journey to colonial Georgia with his father, facing wild beasts, hostile natives, and untamed wilderness, all while being cared for by devoted com…
Level C1HistoricalMarzio's Crucifix, and ZoroasterIn a Roman silversmith's workshop, a master craftsman and his talented apprentice grapple with art, politics, and the fading glory of tradition, as they shape intricate sacred obje…
Level C1HistoricalMary: The Queen of the House of David and Mother of Jesus: The Story of Her LifeExplore the profound life of Mary, the Queen of the House of David, through a journey that reveals the strength, grace, and influence of womanhood amidst faith, compassion, and tow…
Level C1HistoricalMary of LorraineAmidst the cold halls of Fawside Castle, a tale unfolds of political intrigue, violent feuds, and shifting loyalties in 16th-century Scotland, where noble families clash and secret…
Level C1HistoricalMary of Burgundy; or, The Revolt of GhentIn a richly detailed fifteenth-century world, the young Mary of Burgundy faces political turmoil and personal sacrifice as Ghent rebels rise under the idealistic Albert Maurice.
Level C1HistoricalMary Stuart: A TragedyImprisoned and stripped of all but secrets and jewels, a queen's dignified captivity unfolds amid suspicion and intrigue, as her captors seek proof of treason to justify her downfa…
Level C1HistoricalMary Seaham: A Novel. Volume 1 of 3Amidst the fading echoes of a wedding celebration, Mary Seaham faces the solitude of her family estate and the uncertainty of leaving home, as she navigates the challenges of loss,…
Level C1HistoricalMary Schweidler, the amber witch: The most interesting trial for witchcraft ever known, printed from an imperfect manuscript by her father, Abraham Schweidler, the pastor of Coserow in the island of Usedom / edited by W. Meinhold ; translated from the German by Lady Duff Gordon.In a small island church, a forgotten manuscript reveals the harrowing trial of Mary Schweidler, accused of witchcraft amid dark superstitions and brutal justice.
Level C1HistoricalMary Powell & Deborah's DiaryAmid the bitter clash of King and Parliament, a 17-year-old country girl marries the fiery poet John Milton, sparking a turbulent union marked by separation, pamphlets on divorce,…
Level C1HistoricalMary Magdalen: A ChronicleIn a vibrant Roman circus, political intrigue brews beneath the roar of chariot races as Herod Antipas uses grand games to mask his fragile hold on power in the volatile city of Ti…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise and the Liberty GirlsIn a small town struggling to meet its Liberty Bond quota during wartime, Mary Louise and her friends step up to prove that even the humblest girls can make a vital difference thro…
Level C1HistoricalMary LambExplore the intertwined lives of Mary Lamb and her brother Charles, whose deep bond and friendships with literary figures like Coleridge and Wordsworth sustain them through tragedy…
Level C1HistoricalMary DerwentIn the untamed Wyoming Valley, amidst clashing settlers and looming danger, a determined pioneer strives to build a home and find hope after personal loss, weaving a vivid tale of…
Level C1HistoricalMary Anerley: A Yorkshire TaleIn 18th-century Yorkshire, a fierce family feud unfolds along the treacherous Tees River, where legacy, rebellion, and tragedy collide at the infamous Seven Corpse Ford.
Level B2MysteryMartin of old LondonIn the smoky streets of 1666 London, fourteen-year-old Martin Leake navigates the bustling riverbank and a mysterious rendezvous that hints at hidden dangers.
Level C1RomanceMartin ValliantIn the shadowed halls of a moonlit priory, Brother Geraint prowls with a sly grin and simmering hatred, plotting against the young, golden-haired novice whose bold piety threatens…
Level C1AdventureMartin RattlerA young adventurer braves the untamed forests of Brazil, facing wild challenges and thrilling discoveries that test his courage and resilience in this gripping tale of survival and…
Level C1HistoricalMarsena, and Other Stories of the WartimeIn a small village during the Civil War, Marsena Pulford, a proud and mysterious artist burdened by past sorrows and poverty, struggles to find his place and rebuild his life amid…
Level C1AdventureMarooned on AustraliaSurvivors of the Batavia shipwreck face mutiny, betrayal, and brutal storms as they struggle to survive on a remote Australian island, caught between treacherous seas and restless…
Level C1HistoricalMarmion: A Tale Of Flodden FieldIn the shadow of the Battle of Flodden, a poetic minstrel weaves a stirring tale of war, honor, and Scotland’s turbulent autumn, capturing the clash of swords and the spirit of a n…
Level C1AdventureMarmaduke Merry: A Tale of Naval Adventures in Bygone DaysA lively family bound by laughter and loyalty sets the stage for daring naval adventures, where youthful spirits and hearty tales lead to thrilling exploits beyond their quiet Leic…
Level C1HistoricalMark Twain: A Biography. Volume III, Part 1: 1900-1907After a financial crisis and a world of sympathy, a celebrated author returns to America to find himself hailed as a conquering hero and drawn into a whirlwind of public attention,…
Level C1HistoricalMark Twain: A Biography. Volume I, Part 2: 1866-1875Emerging from deep despair, a man channels his restless mind into a bold lecture tour about the Hawaiian Islands, conquering fear and gaining fame through humor and eloquence.