Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
4,636 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 Thorstein of the mere, Thoroughbreds and Thomas Lord Cromwell. 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 C1AdventureTales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary TimesAmid the dangers of the American frontier, a daring scout faces savage Indian warriors and thrilling adventures during the Revolutionary era.
Level B2AdventureTales out of schoolJourney alongside Colonel Myles as he embarks on thrilling hunts across Africa, encountering wild beasts and unfamiliar landscapes, from riding native bulls to facing charging rhin…
Level C1RomanceTales of the peerage and the peasantryIn the shadow of exile and loyalty to a lost king, a young noblewoman embraces a convent life, torn between faith, family sacrifice, and the turbulent politics of Jacobite Scotland…
Level C1AdventureTales of the Trail: Short Stories of Western LifeExperience the raw, untamed frontier as a band of elite scouts, led by General Forsythe, embarks on a perilous campaign against hostile tribes, facing brutal battles and relentless…
Level C1HistoricalTales of the CovenantersIn the rugged Scottish landscape, the enduring spirit of the Covenanters unfolds through tales of faith, sacrifice, and persecution.
Level C1HistoricalTales of a Vanishing RiverJourney through the winding Kankakee River’s lush wetlands, where explorers, Native tribes, and abundant wildlife converge in a richly woven tapestry of nature, history, and human…
Level B2HistoricalTales of Troy: Ulysses, the Sacker of CitiesJourney to the rugged island of Ithaca and follow the young, clever Ulysses as he grows into a fearless warrior and master strategist amidst gods, wild beasts, and legendary battle…
Level B2RomanceTales of King Arthur and the Round Table, Adapted from the Book of RomanceIn a turbulent Britain without a king, a mysterious sword embedded in stone challenges knights to prove their right to rule.
Level C1HistoricalTales of DestinyIn the vibrant city of Fathpur-Sikri under Emperor Akbar’s enlightened reign, diverse travelers gather at a caravanserai to share captivating stories and spirited debates on faith,…
Level C1AdventureTales of Daring and DangerIn the rugged Ghauts of India, a young officer faces the dangers of bear hunting and deadly bandits known as Dacoits, as tensions rise and wild adventures unfold amidst treacherous…
Level C1AdventureTales of Aztlan; The Romance of a Hero of Our Late Spanish-American War, Incidents of Interest from the Life of a Western Pioneer and Other TalesA young German immigrant sets out across the perilous American frontier, facing hostile attacks and uncertain fate on the treacherous Santa Fe trail.
Level C1HistoricalTales from the Gesta RomanorumAmidst a snowbound Oxford, three students discover the Gesta Romanorum, a medieval collection of moral and entertaining tales crafted by monks to instruct and amuse.
Level C1HistoricalTales from the German. Volume II.Amid the festive Christmas Eve of 1628, a merchant’s family in Schweidnitz faces looming threats to their faith and freedom as religious tensions and ominous signs foretell a dark…
Level C1HistoricalTales from the German. Volume I.Amid the turmoil of early 18th-century Sweden, young Arwed Gyllenstierna wrestles with his father’s warnings and his own patriotic fervor as war threatens to consume their land and…
Level C1HistoricalTales from "Blackwood," Volume 2Amid the hardships of the Siege of Gibraltar, a detailed journal reveals the daily struggles and rare moments of respite for soldiers and civilians alike, capturing vivid anecdotes…
Level B2HistoricalTaking the Bastile; Or, Pitou the Peasant: A Historical Story of the Great French RevolutionAmid the harsh winter of revolutionary France, a mysterious traveler arrives at a secluded village, bearing a newborn and seeking Madeline Pitou.
Level C1AdventureTaken by the EnemyA wealthy captain returns from a cruise to shocking news that unsettles his normally composed demeanor, setting the stage for a gripping tale of conflict and loyalty amid the linge…
Level C1HistoricalTacitus on GermanyExplore the rugged lands and fierce tribes of ancient Germany through vivid accounts of their origins, customs, and warrior spirit, revealing a culture both mysterious and unyieldi…
Level C1HistoricalTacitus and Bracciolini. The Annals Forged in the XVth CenturyUncover a riveting historical investigation that challenges the authenticity of Tacitus's Annals, proposing they were a fifteenth-century forgery by the Renaissance figure Poggio B…
Level C1HistoricalSylvia's Lovers — CompleteIn the rugged coastal town of Monkshaven, where whaling fortunes shape lives, a young apprentice navigates the harsh sea and social tides of the late 18th century, caught between t…
Level C1HistoricalSylph Etherege: (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")In a secluded garden, two observers watch a young girl enchanted by an imaginary cousin she has never met, while a mysterious figure schemes to disrupt her delicate fantasy.
Level B2HistoricalSyd Belton: The Boy Who Would Not Go to SeaA spirited boy from a proud naval family shocks his stern uncles by refusing the sea life expected of him, revealing his surprising ambition to become a doctor instead.
Level C1RomanceSybil, Or, The Two NationsIn the opulent world of 1837 high society, wagers and whispered intrigues set the stage for a dramatic exploration of England’s stark social divides.
Level C1HistoricalSybil Chase; or, The Valley Ranche: A Tale of California LifeIn a rugged California valley transformed by the gold rush, a once peaceful ranche becomes a hotspot of lawlessness and wild adventure.
Level C1AdventureSwiss Heroes: An Historical Romance of the Time of Charles the BoldAmidst the turbulent ambitions of Charles the Bold, three Swiss heroes rise to defend their homeland, weaving courage, sacrifice, and fierce patriotism into a gripping tale set aga…
Level C1HistoricalSwiftDive into the turbulent early life and lineage of Jonathan Swift, tracing the loyal struggles and colorful heritage that shaped the famed Dean of St.
Level C1RomanceSweet Mace: A Sussex Legend of the Iron TimesAmidst the blossoming Sussex valley, Gil Carr revels in the vibrant spring chorus of nature, where every bird and bloom seems to herald a timeless romance waiting to unfold beneath…
Level C1AdventureSwallow: A Tale of the Great TrekAn elderly Boer woman recounts the perilous journey of the Voortrekkers during the Great Trek of 1836, revealing the courage and struggles behind their escape from English rule int…
Level C1AdventureSustained honor: The Age of Liberty EstablishedAmid the turbulent era leading to the War of 1812, Fernando Stevens, a descendant of legendary explorers, navigates the hardships and intrigues of pioneer life, forging his path th…
Level C1AdventureSuspense: A Napoleonic NovelAs the winter sun sets over the Gulf of Genoa, a young English traveler encounters a mysterious guardian atop a deserted tower, where echoes of past naval battles and lingering ten…
Level B2RomanceSunshine and shadow, or, Paul Burton's surpriseIn a serene New England farm, Nettie Spaulding, a once-wealthy city girl, faces sorrow and change as she finds refuge with kind relatives by the lake, seeking hope and happiness am…
Level C1HistoricalSunday at Home (From "Twice Told Tales")Each Sabbath morning, a quiet observer watches the church steeple as it awakens with the sunrise, embodying the town’s spirit and marking the sacred stillness of Sunday.
Level C2HistoricalSumerian Liturgies and PsalmsExplore the ancient temple library of Nippur through mythological and theological hymns that reveal early Sumerian beliefs on creation, paradise lost, and divine kingship, shedding…
Level C1AdventureSubmarine U93Orphaned and armed only with a dented sixpence bearing his grandfather's legacy, seventeen-year-old Jimmy Burke must navigate the ruthless streets of New York and uphold his family…
Level C1RomanceStudies on the Legend of the Holy Grail: With Especial Reference to the Hypothesis of Its Celtic OriginDelve into the mysterious origins of the Holy Grail legend, exploring its deep roots in Celtic folklore and the sacred talismans that inspired timeless tales of healing and heroism…
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 3 of 3: I. Agorè: Polities of the Homeric Age. II. Ilios: Trojans and Greeks Compared. III. Thalassa: The Outer Geography. IV. Aoidos: Some Points of the Poetry of Homer.Explore the political foundations, cultural contrasts, and geographical context of the Homeric Age, revealing how early Greek society shaped enduring ideals of governance and ident…
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 2 of 3: Olympus; or, the Religion of the Homeric AgeExplore the complex blend of theology and mythology in the Homeric age, where ancient traditions meet inventive storytelling, revealing a rich but inconsistent supernatural system…
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3: I. Prolegomena II. Achæis; or, the Ethnology of the Greek RacesDelve into the fierce scholarly debate surrounding the authenticity and value of Homer’s epics, exploring their enduring significance and the evolving understanding of their place…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of the Greek Poets (Vol 2 of 2)Explore the origins and unique conditions that shaped Greek tragedy, focusing on Euripides' revolutionary contributions amid Athens' vibrant cultural and political scene, revealing…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of the Greek Poets (Vol 1 of 2)Explore the origins and evolution of Greek poetry through deep historical and mythological insights, tracing its development from Homeric epics to the philosophical and artistic he…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of Lowell (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)Step into the intimate world of a revered literary figure as a visitor from Venice shares summer evenings, thoughtful conversation, and reflections on youth, home, and the ideals s…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of Contemporary PoetsExplore the vibrant voices shaping modern poetry, as they capture the spirit of their time with social conscience, mysticism, and a deep connection to everyday life.
Level C1HistoricalStudies in the Poetry of Italy, Part II. ItalianExplore the rich origins and evolution of Italian literature, tracing its roots from the ancient Roman legacy through the influence of Germanic tribes and the transformation of Lat…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in the Poetry of Italy, Part I. RomanExplore the origins of Roman poetry through its dramatic, satiric, and epic phases, tracing Rome’s cultural growth amid conquest and lawmaking as Greek art and harsh realities shap…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in Literature and HistoryExplore the intricate connections between history, myth, and literature as this collection delves into the evolution of storytelling and the interplay of fact and fable across cult…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in LiteratureExplore the turbulent world of late 18th- and early 19th-century England through reflections on literature and society, as the era’s transformative events shape the lives and works…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in Folk-Song and Popular PoetryExplore the rich world of folk-song and popular poetry as this collection delves into the melodies and stories that shaped cultures across America, Britain, and beyond, revealing t…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in Early Victorian LiteratureExplore the vibrant and complex world of early Victorian literature, where social consciousness shapes poetry and prose, marking a distinct departure from previous eras.