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.
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Level B2HistoricalThe Fortunes of Philippa: A School StorySent away from her tropical paradise to England for a proper education, Philippa faces the challenge of adapting to a new world, new customs, and the companions she’s never known—a…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck: a romanceAmid the aftermath of the Wars of the Roses, a mysterious fugitive claims royal blood and challenges the throne, weaving a tale of intrigue, loyalty, and danger across England, Sco…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fortunes of NigelIn the turbulent reign of James I, a benevolent goldsmith’s legacy shapes the fate of a wayward nobleman, caught between fading chivalry and rising modernity.
Level C1AdventureThe Fortunes of Hector O'Halloran, and His Man, Mark Antony O'TooleAmid the fierce storms and political unrest of 1795 Ireland, a noble family clings to their ancestral home on a rugged cliff.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fortunes of GarinIn the shadowed cathedral of Roche-de-Frêne, young Garin de Castel-Noir seeks a divine sign to choose his destiny—whether to serve the Church or take up arms as a knight amid a wor…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fortune of the RougonsAmid the political upheaval of the Second Empire, the ambitious Rougon family seeks fortune and influence, setting the stage for a sprawling saga of power, ambition, and social cha…
Level C1AdventureThe Fortunate Mistress (Parts 1 and 2): or a History of the Life of Mademoiselle de Beleau Known by the Name of the Lady RoxanaA woman rises from humble beginnings to become the notorious Lady Roxana, navigating a world of shifting fortunes, secret liaisons, and court intrigues during the reign of King Cha…
Level C1MysteryThe Forsaken Inn: A NovelA weary traveler seeks refuge from a storm near a decaying inn rumored to be haunted, only to uncover unsettling secrets hidden within its walls through a mysterious manuscript lef…
Level C1HistoricalThe Forlorn Hope: A Tale of Old ChelseaIn the tranquil grounds of Chelsea Hospital, aging veterans reflect on their valorous pasts and the legacy of a compassionate queen who secured their refuge.
Level C1HistoricalThe Forge in the Forest: Being the Narrative of the Acadian Ranger, Jean de Mer, Seigneur de Briart; and How He Crossed the Black Abbé; and of His Adventures in a Strange FellowshipIn the shadowed forests of Acadia, Jean de Mer, an exiled seigneur and secret ranger, returns to reclaim his people's loyalty amid English occupation and the haunting presence of t…
Level B2AdventureThe Forest of Swords: A Story of Paris and the MarneAmid the thunder of advancing German guns, an American and a Frenchman face the looming fall of Paris, their spirits ignited by hope and defiance as history’s shadows and the ghost…
Level B2AdventureThe Forest Runners: A Story of the Great War Trail in Early KentuckyTwo boys brave the vast, untamed Kentucky wilderness, carrying a precious powder supply to defend their settlements from Indian attacks.
Level C1RomanceThe Forest LoversA spirited young nobleman, cast out by his brother, rides boldly into the mysterious and dangerous Morgraunt Forest, where outlaws and wild beasts roam.
Level C1RomanceThe Forest King: Wild Hunter of the AdacaIn the wild beauty of the Adaca Valley, a fearless hunter named Mayall pursues love and adventure amid frontier dangers and family opposition.
Level C1HistoricalThe Forest Farm: Tales of the Austrian TyrolAmid the encroaching forces of modern civilization, a reflective voice yearns for the enduring strength and simplicity of rural peasant life in the Austrian Tyrol, revealing a poig…
Level C1HistoricalThe Foreigner: A Tale of SaskatchewanIn the bustling city of Winnipeg, diverse immigrants from across Europe converge, each driven by a fierce desire for liberty and land, forging a new nation on the vast Canadian pra…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fool: A Play in Four ActsOn Christmas Eve 1918, amidst a luxurious church setting, three women navigate clashing values of tradition, youth, and social unrest as a labor strike brews outside—revealing tens…
Level C1RomanceThe Fool Errant: Being the Memoirs of Francis-Anthony Strelley, Esq., Citizen of LuccaAn English youth arrives in 18th-century Padua, swept into the whirlwind life of his fiery Italian tutor, Dr.
Level C1AdventureThe Flying HorsemanHeld captive by bandits and forced into a perilous mountain journey, a marchioness and her daughter navigate shadowed threats and uneasy alliances amid looming storms and mysteriou…
Level C1RomanceThe Flute of the GodsIn a drought-stricken Hopi village, ancient prayers and rituals struggle to bring rain to a parched land where survival hangs by a thread.
Level C1RomanceThe Flower Girl of The Château d'Eau, v.2 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XVI)A devoted husband’s love is tested when his beautiful but flirtatious wife embraces a life of parties and admirers, while a charming friend’s true intentions threaten to shatter th…
Level C2RomanceThe Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory: (Periods of European Literature, vol. II)Explore the vibrant interplay of romance and allegory across medieval Europe, as French, English, German, Provençal, and Icelandic literatures shape a rich tapestry of literary evo…
Level C1RomanceThe Flight of Georgiana: A Story of Love and Peril in England in 1746In 1746 England, a gentleman’s servant hastens to prepare an inn for his master’s arrival, bringing home his niece to Foxwell Court—a place known for its wild frolics and gambling.
Level B2AdventureThe Flamingo FeatherYoung Réné de Veaux, orphaned and determined, joins his uncle’s daring expedition to the New World, embarking on a perilous voyage filled with mystery and adventure as they seek a…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fishguard Invasion by the French in 1797In 1797, a fleet of French frigates lands near Fishguard, Wales, sparking a dramatic and unlikely invasion witnessed by locals and chronicled through firsthand accounts.
Level C1RomanceThe First of the English: A NovelCaught in a fierce storm on the Schelde, a daring young captain commands the nimble Dover Lass, a battle-ready ship poised to outwit Spanish foes and navigate treacherous waters wh…
Level B2HistoricalThe First Four Books of Xenophon's AnabasisAmidst royal intrigue and suspicion, Cyrus the Younger secretly assembles a formidable army, including seasoned Greek mercenaries, to challenge his brother Artaxerxes for the thron…
Level C1HistoricalThe First Christmas Tree: A Story of the ForestOn the eve of Christmas in 722, a renowned pilgrim recounts tales of wild forests, fierce dangers, and ancient rituals to a captivated convent, setting the stage for a story where…
Level B2AdventureThe First Capture; or, Hauling Down the Flag of EnglandIn a small Maine fishing village, news of the Battle of Lexington sparks a fierce uprising as patriots prepare to confront the British army’s attempt to crush the rebellion and sei…
Level B2HistoricalThe FirebrandHunted and marked by violence, Ramon Garcia hides beneath the limestone cliffs, reflecting on a life transformed by love and bloodshed in a Spanish village alive with passion and d…
Level C1RomanceThe Fire Trumpet: A Romance of the Cape FrontierA man unexpectedly inherits a large sum from a troubled friend whose mysterious past and near-fatal sea plunge spark secrets and suspense.
Level B2HistoricalThe Fighting Starkleys; or, The Test of CourageAmid the rugged life of Beaver Dam, the Starkley family’s resilience and courage are forged through hard work, close friendships, and the call to adventure, as young Dick and his s…
Level B2HistoricalThe Fighting ScrubA sixteen-year-old boy faces the painful farewell to his father as he arrives at a new school, where rivalry and harsh judgments await him.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fifth Queen: And How She Came to CourtIn a cold, muddy London lane, Magister Nicholas Udal navigates intrigue and hardship while serving Lady Mary, whose treasonous correspondence entangles powerful men.
Level C1RomanceThe Fifth Queen CrownedIn the shadowy chambers of power, a king’s sharp wit and brewing rage meet the fearful resolve of his Archbishop, as political and spiritual tensions ignite a dangerous game of loy…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's: A School StoryAt Saint Dominic’s, the vibrant life of a great public school unfolds through the trials and triumphs of its spirited boys.
Level B2AdventureThe Fiery Totem: A Tale of Adventure in the Canadian North-WestTwo young friends embark on a daring hunting expedition along the wild, swift currents of the Athabasca River, facing treacherous rapids and towering cliffs in the untamed Canadian…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ferryman of Brill, and Other StoriesAmid the ruthless rule of Duke Alva in 16th-century Flanders, young Protestant merchant Diedrich Meghem navigates love, loyalty, and deadly rivalry as he faces persecution and dang…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fate: A Tale of Stirring TimesAmid stirring times and shifting scenes, explore the vivid interplay between human fate and the natural world, where history’s truths are questioned and the passions of the past co…
Level B2AdventureThe Fate of a CrownAn American is summoned to serve as a trusted secretary to a Brazilian revolutionary leader amid a dangerous political conspiracy threatening the empire’s throne.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fat and the ThinAmid the vibrant chaos of Paris’s Central Markets, a world teems with life where the beauty of fresh violets contrasts starkly with the gritty reality of bustling market trades and…
Level C1HistoricalThe False One: A TragedyIn a kingdom torn by political intrigue and civil war, Queen Cleopatra is confined under suspicion while powerful factions vie for control of Egypt’s throne.
Level B2HistoricalThe False Chevalier: or, The Lifeguard of Marie AntoinetteA young French-Canadian fur trader's son embarks on a journey to Paris amid rising demand for beaver pelts, carrying his family's hopes and blessings.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of the Great Republic (1886-88)Amidst economic ruin and political folly, a once-great republic faces collapse as unemployment, social unrest, and misguided leadership unravel the promise of popular self-governme…
Level C1AdventureThe Fall of the Grand Sarrasin: Being a Chronicle of Sir Nigel de Bessin, Knight, of Things that Happed in Guernsey Island, in the Norman Seas, in and about the Year One Thousand and Fifty-SevenRaised by monks on Guernsey Island, a young Norman knight-in-training navigates a world of chivalry, friendship, and mystery, haunted by the unknown fate of his parents as he prepa…
Level C1Science FictionThe Fall of a Nation: A Sequel to the Birth of a NationAmid rising tyranny and religious persecution, a young girl’s steadfast faith sparks a fierce struggle for liberty as the seeds of American democracy are sown through sacrifice, ex…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of Prince Florestan of MonacoA young prince unexpectedly becomes heir to the throne of Monaco after a tragic sea voyage claims his cousin and uncle.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of Jerusalem: A PoemAmidst divine judgment and national upheaval, witness the poignant tale of Jerusalem’s downfall as a young poet recounts its tragic fate with heartfelt sincerity and humble ambitio…