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 C1RomanceThe Earl's promiseIn a small, sleepy Irish town on the brink of change, hopes rise with the coronation of a new king, stirring dreams of justice and prosperity amid deep-rooted divisions and faded g…
Level C1HistoricalThe Earl of Essex: A Tragedy, in Five ActsIn the court of Queen Elizabeth, the fiery Earl of Essex navigates the volatile tides of loyalty, love, and power, challenged by rivals and the queen’s own complex affections in a…
Level B2MysteryThe Eagle's eyeAmid secret codes and clandestine wireless messages, a German spy network in America plots deadly sabotage during World War I, with the sinking of the Lusitania as a chilling missi…
Level B2AdventureThe Eagle of the Empire: A Story of WaterlooAmid the looming shadows of Napoleon's final campaign, a stirring tale unfolds of love, courage, and the brutal realities of war.
Level C1RomanceThe Eagle CliffA spirited young man races through the countryside on his bicycle, chasing the thrill of flight and the promise of the city beyond.
Level C1HistoricalThe Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with NapoleonAmidst the tumult of the Napoleonic Wars, witness an epic drama that intertwines historical events with supernatural insights, revealing the grand clash of peoples and the weighty…
Level C1HistoricalThe Dust of ConflictAn English country estate hides tensions beneath its serene landscape as Bernard Appleby, a sharp-eyed adventurer and reluctant heir, navigates strained alliances and simmering con…
Level C1RomanceThe Duke's Sweetheart: A RomanceA charming gentleman known as the Duke of Long Acre, with no lands or title but a radiant spirit, prepares for a pivotal meeting with the lady who has captured his heart, setting t…
Level C1RomanceThe Duke's Prize; a Story of Art and Heart in FlorenceIn sunlit Florence, a diverse group of artists from across Europe converge, drawn by the city's rich art and vibrant spirit.
Level C1AdventureThe Duke's Motto: A MelodramaSeven fierce men, neither soldiers nor brigands but a dangerous mix of both, gather in a sweltering inn near the Castle of Caylus, ready to sell their swords to the highest bidder…
Level C1RomanceThe Duke's Daughter; and, The Fugitives; vol. 1/3Amidst the grandeur and pride of English nobility, a sensible duchess navigates family tensions and financial decline, while her proud husband clings to fading traditions.
Level C1HistoricalThe Duke of Stockbridge: A Romance of Shays' RebellionAmid the tense backdrop of 1777 Stockbridge, where colonial loyalties and local rivalries intertwine, the village's fate hangs on the edge of rebellion and war.
Level C2HistoricalThe Duke of GandiaAmid the turbulent Vatican of 1497, Cæsar Borgia wrestles with his ambitions and complex family ties as the son of Pope Alexander VI, navigating power, sin, and desire in a world w…
Level C1HistoricalThe Duchess of Wrexe, Her Decline and Death; A Romantic CommentaryIn late 19th-century London, an explorer and an art connoisseur confront the enigmatic portrait of the formidable Duchess of Wrexe, whose presence commands power and mystery beyond…
Level C1HistoricalThe Duchess of TrajettoIn a moonlit castle overlooking the Mediterranean, a young duchess battles restless nights and treacherous letters, only to face a sudden, terrifying pirate attack that threatens h…
Level C1AdventureThe Drums of WarA young boy journeys through 1860s Germany with his soldier father and loyal corporal, immersed in tales of Napoleonic battles and family legacy.
Level C1HistoricalThe Drummer's CoatIn a tranquil Devon village shadowed by ancient woods and the storied Bracefort Hall, a tale unfolds blending local superstition and authentic military history, where a child's mys…
Level B2HistoricalThe Drummer BoyA young boy wrestles with his family's fears and his own courage as he resolves to join the Civil War as a drummer boy, determined to serve his country despite the dangers and doub…
Level C1AdventureThe Druidess: A Story for Boys and OthersAmid the brutal clash between Britons and Saxons in 577 AD, a fierce woman clad in royal saffron and a valiant boy leader fight desperately to protect their people and faith.
Level C1HistoricalThe DriverIn 1894 Ohio, a quirky and determined man leads the eccentric Army of the Commonweal of Christ on a modern crusade toward an uncertain "Economic Millennium.
Level C1HistoricalThe Draytons and the DavenantsAmid the quiet New England harvest, a woman’s memories transport her across the seas to her childhood in war-torn England, unveiling vivid tales of family, faith, and survival duri…
Level C1AdventureThe Dragon and the Raven; Or, The Days of King AlfredAmidst the wild, untamed fenlands of 870 England, a young boy and his loyal wolf-hound await the return of his father during a time of brutal Danish invasions and desperate surviva…
Level C1HistoricalThe Downfall (La Débâcle): A Story of the Horrors of WarAmid the turmoil of the Franco-Prussian War, diverse characters from all social classes navigate the chaos and tragedy of the Battle of Sedan.
Level C1HistoricalThe DownfallBeneath a gray August sky, a weary French corps prepares for battle near the Rhine, haunted by recent losses and the looming threat of Prussian forces.
Level C1HistoricalThe Dove in the Eagle's NestIn a turbulent era where private feuds replace law and noble independence clashes with rising imperial power, a tale unfolds amid the splendor of free cities and savage barons.
Level C1RomanceThe Doomswoman: An Historical Romance of Old CaliforniaIn a vibrant Monterey filled with tradition and tension, a bold and enigmatic man known as Don Diego Estenega captivates the lives of high society, stirring old rivalries and forbi…
Level C1HistoricalThe Dixie Book of DaysExplore the rich history and literature of the Old South through a curated collection of prose and verse that reveals the region's profound influence on America’s founding, culture…
Level C1RomanceThe Divine Lady: A Romance of Nelson and Emma HamiltonIn a quiet London suburb, a beautiful young woman with a passionate spirit faces suspicion and scorn, yet her vibrant voice and presence hint at a story that will intertwine with t…
Level C2HistoricalThe Divine Comedy by Dante, Illustrated, Hell, Volume 10Descend into a frozen abyss where tormented souls endure eternal punishment, their frozen anguish revealing dark betrayals and sins.
Level C2HistoricalThe Divine Comedy by Dante, Illustrated, Hell, Volume 03Journey through the harrowing second circle of Hell, where lustful souls are swept endlessly by a fierce storm, and witness tragic figures caught in eternal torment as their past p…
Level B2RomanceThe Disputed V.C.: A Tale of the Indian MutinyAmidst the looming chaos of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, young ensign Ted Russell grapples with his brother Jim’s unexpected infatuation with a spirited young woman, challenging thei…
Level C2HistoricalThe Disguising at HertfordIn the royal Christmas festivities at Hertford Castle, weary swains plead with the noble prince about the torment of marriage, revealing sharp-witted wives and the comic strife tha…
Level B2HistoricalThe Diary of a FreshmanA young freshman navigates the challenges of college life, from overprotective parents to the hunt for the perfect room in Cambridge.
Level C1HistoricalThe Diary of Dr. John William Polidori, 1816, Relating to Byron, Shelley, etc.Travel alongside a young physician whose sharp wit and artistic eye bring him into the turbulent worlds of Byron and Shelley in 1816 Europe.
Level C1HistoricalThe Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay — Volume 3Experience the turbulent life of a French émigré amid revolution and exile, as personal letters and diaries reveal intimate moments of love, royal encounters, and the struggles of…
Level C1HistoricalThe Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay — Volume 2Experience the intimate world of 18th-century court life through detailed diaries revealing royal ceremonies, intrigues, and personal dramas amid pivotal events like the trial of W…
Level C1HistoricalThe Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay — Volume 1Step into the vivid world of 18th-century England through the intimate diary and letters of a rising literary star, navigating society, celebrated figures, and court life with wit…
Level B2RomanceThe Devil's Own: A Romance of the Black Hawk WarAmid the tense frontier of 1832, a young soldier at a remote fort witnesses the brewing conflict between restless Native tribes and encroaching settlers, where fierce rivalries and…
Level C1HistoricalThe Devil's DiscipleAmid the harsh realities of 1777 New Hampshire, a stern matron and her troubled household await news in a tense farmhouse kitchen, where loyalty and survival are tested during the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Development of the Feeling for Nature in the Middle Ages and Modern TimesExplore how humanity’s evolving relationship with nature—from fear and worship to artistic and scientific appreciation—shapes culture, literature, and the human spirit across the M…
Level C1HistoricalThe Deserter, and Other Stories: A Book of Two WarsIn a bitterly cold winter on the northern tablelands, a simple discovery in a barnyard sets the stage for stories of hardship, resilience, and secrets amid the harsh realities of t…
Level C1HistoricalThe DeserterIn the rugged Northwest, a determined cavalry regiment pursues elusive Sioux bands navigating treacherous rivers and valleys, while tensions rise between seasoned frontiersmen and…
Level C1RomanceThe Deserted WomanA young Parisian arrives in a quiet Norman town to recover, only to find himself entangled in the intricate social rivalries and fading aristocratic customs of provincial France in…
Level C1HistoricalThe Desert of WheatIn a vast, sun-scorched wheat desert, a young farmer battles debt, drought, and the shadows of war while striving to protect his family's land and legacy in a harsh, heroic landsca…
Level C1HistoricalThe Departing Soul's Address to the Body: A Fragment of a Semi-Saxon Poem: Discovered Among the Archives of Worcester CathedralAn ancient fragment uncovered from Worcester Cathedral archives reveals a haunting dialogue between soul and body, illustrating early English moral poetry and the language’s transi…
Level C1HistoricalThe Deluge: An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. Vol. 2Amidst relentless cannon fire and cunning diplomacy, the monks of Yasna Gora fortress stand defiant against Swedish forces, relying on faith and resilience to protect their sacred…
Level C1HistoricalThe Deluge: An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. Vol. 1Amidst the turbulent 17th-century wars between Poland, Sweden, and Russia, political and religious conflicts ignite as nations vie for power and survival.
Level B2HistoricalThe Deliverance: A Romance of the Virginia Tobacco FieldsAmid Virginia's vast tobacco fields, a lawyer returns to Blake Hall, a plantation marked by old rivalries and fresh passions.