Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
4,982 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 Zigzag Journeys in Northern Lands;: The Rhine to the Arctic; A Summer Trip of the Zigzag Club Through Holland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, Yule-Tide Yarns and Youth. 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.
- 4,982
- books
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Yiddish Literature in the Nineteenth CenturyExplore the rich and elusive world of nineteenth-century Yiddish literature through a journey across Europe’s libraries, bookstores, and conversations with its living writers, unco…
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Sir Richard WhittingtonExplore the true story behind the legendary Whittington and his Cat, separating myth from history as we uncover the real life and times of a man once believed to be a poor boy guid…
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Rome, Books 37 to the End: with the Epitomes and Fragments of the Lost BooksRoman generals cross into Asia to confront Antiochus, forging alliances and waging war that will reshape the balance of power.
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Rome, Books 27 to 36Amidst the brutal clashes of the Second Punic War, Roman generals and Hannibal's forces vie fiercely for control over rebellious cities, shifting fortunes in battles marked by cunn…
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Rome, Books 09 to 26In the shadow of the Caudine Forks, Roman legions face a cunning Samnite trap that tests their fate and the wrath of the gods.
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Rome, Books 01 to 08Follow Rome’s legendary origins from Aeneas’s arrival to Romulus’s founding of the city, as kings rise and fall amid wars, divine rites, and political intrigue that shape the birth…
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Roman Literature: From the Earliest Period to the Death of Marcus AureliusExplore the evolution of Roman literature from its earliest Latin roots through the influence of Greek culture, tracing epic poetry, comedy, tragedy, and satire amid Rome’s practic…
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Richard Raynal, SolitaryIn early 16th-century England, a devout Cambridge-educated hermit named Richard Raynal embarks on a spiritual journey marked by contemplation, royal encounters, and inner trials, a…
Level C1RomanceThe History of Pendennis, Volume 2: His Fortunes and Misfortunes, His Friends and His Greatest EnemyIn a world of restless youth and tangled loyalties, Mr.
Level C1HistoricalThe History of PendennisIn a candid portrait of Victorian society, a refined military man navigates the complexities of love, temptation, and social expectations in London’s elite clubs.
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Patient Grisel, 1619In a medieval tale explored through history and literature, Patient Griselda embodies unwavering obedience and patience amid relentless trials, challenging modern views on virtue a…
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Margaret Catchpole, a Suffolk GirlIn early 19th-century Suffolk, the extraordinary life of Margaret Catchpole unfolds, intertwined with the lives of a large brewing family and their remarkable household.
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Herodotus — Volume 2Explore the fierce struggles and complex customs of Thracian tribes as Persian forces, commanded by Megabazos, attempt to conquer the diverse peoples of Europe under King Dareios'…
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Herodotus — Volume 1Explore the origins of history and culture through vivid narratives and meticulous scholarship, revealing the diverse voices and events that shaped the ancient world.
Level C1HistoricalThe History of Henry Esmond, Esq., a Colonel in the Service of Her Majesty Queen AnneA colonel recounts his tumultuous life during Queen Anne’s reign, tracing his family’s legacy from Virginia plantations to the upheavals of early 18th-century England and America.
Level C1RomanceThe History of Emily MontagueAn adventurous lieutenant-colonel seeks a fresh start in the wild beauty of Canada, captivated by its untamed landscapes and promising new life.
Level C1HistoricalThe History of "Punch"Delve into the meticulous history behind Punch, the iconic satirical magazine, as revealed through extensive research, rare documents, and firsthand accounts from its earliest cont…
Level C1RomanceThe Historical Romances of Georg EbersDive into ancient Egypt’s rich tapestry of intrigue, love, and power, where historical monuments and timeless emotions intertwine, revealing the vibrant lives behind the Pharaohs’…
Level C1HistoricalThe Historical Nights' Entertainment: First SeriesDive into vividly reconstructed tales where historical mysteries and human passions collide, revealing bizarre events through meticulous research and carefully imagined dialogue th…
Level C1AdventureThe Hispaniola Plate (1683-1893)Set against the treacherous Silver Bank near San Domingo, this riveting adventure follows the perilous voyages, mutinies, and daring exploits surrounding Sir William Phips and his…
Level B2HistoricalThe Hill: A Romance of FriendshipA young boy faces the daunting challenge of entering the esteemed Harrow School, where friendship, tradition, and the trials of youth intertwine on the iconic Hill.
Level C1RomanceThe Hill of VenusIn the mystical summer twilight of 1266 Basilicata, a young court page named Francesco embarks on a solitary journey to the ancient cloisters of San Cataldo, where secrets and pass…
Level C1RomanceThe High History of the Holy GraalEmbark on a medieval quest filled with chivalry and mystery as knights of the Round Table seek the elusive Holy Grail, weaving tales of valor, romance, and ancient legend from a ri…
Level C1HistoricalThe Hidden Force: A Story of Modern JavaUnder a blood-red moon in the Dutch East Indies, a heavy silence blankets the colonial town, where the complex and tense relations between Europeans and natives simmer beneath the…
Level C1RomanceThe Hidden ChildrenAmid the fading legacy of the Iroquois Confederacy, a tale unfolds where history and romance intertwine, revealing the struggles and spirit of noble tribes bound by loyalty, betray…
Level C1HistoricalThe Heroic AgeExplore the origins and shared traits of heroic poetry across Teutonic and Greek cultures, uncovering their historical, mythical, and anthropological roots through a comparative st…
Level B2RomanceThe Hero of the People: A Historical Romance of Love, Liberty and LoyaltyAmid the turmoil of the French Revolution, a skilled artisan with secret motives watches the royal procession, weaving a tale of love, liberty, and loyalty as hidden forces stir th…
Level B2AdventureThe Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain BoysIn the tense winter of 1764, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys confront a royal proclamation that threatens their land and loyalty.
Level C1HistoricalThe HeritageIn a frozen Balkan forest, two revolutionary leaders navigate betrayals and alliances amid rising unrest, summoned by a dying Englishman whose mysterious final request could tip th…
Level C1HistoricalThe Herd Boy and His HermitA young shepherd boy discovers a lost noble girl wandering the treacherous moorlands at twilight and must guide her safely to shelter, navigating wild landscapes and unexpected dan…
Level C1AdventureThe Heir of Kilfinnan: A Tale of the Shore and OceanA young fisher lad braves the wild Atlantic alone, his heart weighed by the care of his ailing mother and a mysterious heritage tied to an ancient Irish coastal castle.
Level C1AdventureThe HeirAmidst the stirring backdrop of Cambridge’s scholarly contests, a young poet’s vivid recounting of the fall of Czarigrad captivates a foreign professor, hinting at deeper mysteries…
Level C1HistoricalThe Hedge School; The Midnight Mass; The Donagh: Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of: William Carleton, Volume ThreeIn a time when education is scarce and frowned upon, Irish peasants defy the odds by gathering beneath hedges to learn from eccentric, whiskey-loving schoolmasters.
Level C1RomanceThe Heart's Secret; Or, the Fortunes of a Soldier: a Story of Love and the Low Latitudes.In the sultry twilight of Havana, a young boy’s keen eyes witness the secrets of the sea and society, surrounded by military men and aristocrats amid whispers of forbidden trade an…
Level C1RomanceThe Heart's Highway: A Romance of Virginia in the Seventeenth CenturyIn 1682 Virginia, a disgraced English convict turned tutor accompanies the spirited young Mistress Mary Cavendish through the colonial wilderness, where social boundaries blur and…
Level C1RomanceThe Heart of Princess OsraIn a city ruled by a fierce king known as the Lion, a humble smith named Stephen finds himself caught in royal intrigues when Prince Henry’s troubles stir unrest.
Level C1HistoricalThe Heart of Mid-Lothian, CompleteIn 18th-century Edinburgh, a determined woman's fate intertwines with the city's justice and turmoil, revealing deep social struggles and personal courage.
Level C1HistoricalThe Heart of Denise, and Other TalesIn the shadowed corridors of the Queen Mother's court, Denise de Mieux endures long hours of lonely watch, caught between youthful folly and the enigmatic gaze of the stoic lieuten…
Level C1HistoricalThe Hawks of Hawk-Hollow: A Tradition of PennsylavaniaNestled along Pennsylvania's Delaware River, a richly woven tale blends history, legend, and domestic life, inviting readers to explore enchanting mountain landscapes and timeless…
Level C1HistoricalThe Haunted Mind (From "Twice Told Tales")In the stillness of a frosty midnight hour, the boundary between dream and waking blurs, revealing haunting visions of sorrow, hope, and fate that dwell within the mind’s secret ch…
Level C1HistoricalThe Hated SonIn a dimly lit sixteenth-century chamber, a noble countess endures a perilous childbirth while haunted by fears for her unborn child and the oppressive presence of her husband.
Level C1HistoricalThe Harvest of RuskinExplore the profound teachings of a visionary who sees art as a divine revelation and grapples with the spiritual and economic challenges of the modern world, blending heartfelt re…
Level B2HistoricalThe Hand-Made Gentleman: A Tale of the Battles of PeaceA spirited boy named Cricket navigates the challenges of youth amid the dawn of steam power and industrial change, encountering ghosts, inventions, and battles of enterprise.
Level C1HistoricalThe Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean TimesIn 174 B.
Level B2HistoricalThe Guns of Shiloh: A Story of the Great Western CampaignAmid the chaos of a crushing defeat, young Northern soldier Dick Mason grapples with despair as his army retreats, setting the stage for a gripping tale of courage and conflict in…
Level B2AdventureThe Guns of EuropeAmid the looming chaos of Europe’s great war, a young American traveler contemplates art and humanity, witnessing the stirring moments that ignite a global conflict.
Level B2HistoricalThe Guns of Bull Run: A Story of the Civil War's EveAs winter snow blankets a Kentucky town on the eve of the Civil War, two cousins—one destined to fight for the South, the other for the North—face divided loyalties amid the brewin…
Level C1AdventureThe Guerilla Chief, and Other TalesAmidst the fierce aftermath of the Battle of Cerro Gordo, a lone soldier reflects on missed glory and the relentless chase of elusive enemies, offering a gripping glimpse into war’…