Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
2,991 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 The Bush Boys: History and Adventures of a Cape Farmer and his Family, The Burial of the Guns and The Burgomaster's Wife — Complete. 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.
- 2,991
- books
Level C1RomanceDorothy South: A Love Story of Virginia Just Before the WarIn the lush woodlands of pre-Civil War Virginia, a cultured young stranger arrives, stirring curiosity and change as he navigates the intricate social landscape, meeting locals lik…
Level C1AdventureDoom CastleA nobleman escapes a mysterious pursuit through a hauntingly silent, rugged land where danger lurks behind every shadow.
Level C1HistoricalDonald Ross of Heimra (Volume 1 of 3)A determined young woman inherits a Highland estate and sets out to transform it, confronting the harsh realities of Scottish soil, climate, and human nature while striving to brin…
Level C1HistoricalDonald McElroy, Scotch IrishmanAmid the turmoil of pre-Revolutionary America, a Scotch Irish youth recounts his life on a Virginia frontier plantation, revealing the courage, faith, and fierce independence of a…
Level B2AdventureDonalblane of DarienIn an age of ruthless monopolies and imperial rivalry, a determined Scotsman leads a bold venture to unlock the key to global trade by conquering the treacherous Isthmus of Darien,…
Level C1RomanceDon SebastianAmid political exile and the collapse of his homeland, a noble prince leads his people across treacherous seas to forge a new empire, blending historical intrigue with the personal…
Level C1HistoricalDon OrsinoIn the shadow of a crumbling Roman empire and the rise of a new Italy, Don Orsino Saracinesca navigates family legacy, political upheaval, and fading nobility in a world forever tr…
Level C1HistoricalDomitiaIn the bustling port of Cenchræa, a proud noblewoman awaits the arrival of a powerful lord, navigating a world of political intrigue, ambition, and the clash of empires on the edge…
Level C1RomanceDoctor ThorneIn the rural county of Barsetshire, a young country doctor navigates the complex social and political divides shaped by tradition, reform, and family ties, where loyalty and love a…
Level B2HistoricalDoctor Hathern's daughtersThree sisters navigate the turmoil of the Civil War in their Virginia home, torn between loyalty, fear, and hope.
Level B1HistoricalDocasJourney back to a Pacific Coast Indian village where young Docas and his family live, play, and learn the ways of their ancestors long before modern settlers arrived.
Level B2AdventureDo and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for FortuneA determined young boy fights to keep his mother’s post office job against the powerful Squire Walsingham’s nephew, facing selfish rivals and political influence in their small tow…
Level C1RomanceDiscovering "Evelina": An Old-fashioned Romance: A Companion Book to "The Jessamy Bride"In a household stirred by the magnetic influence of the famed Mr.
Level C1HistoricalDiscourses on Satire and on Epic PoetryDive into a rich dialogue on the art of satire and epic poetry, where critical debates, literary aspirations, and the poet's own reflections unfold against the backdrop of 17th-cen…
Level C1HistoricalDilemmas of Pride, (Vol 1 of 3)Amid the sprawling, ancient estates of Arden Park, twin brothers Sir Willoughby and Alfred Arden come of age, their lives entwined with family legacy, celebration, and deep-seated…
Level B2AdventureDigging for Gold: Adventures in CaliforniaAn eighteen-year-old neglected youth, passionate about art but stifled by his harsh uncle’s demands, dreams of forging his own path beyond the grim expectations of work and duty in…
Level B2AdventureDigging for Gold: A Story of CaliforniaA determined sixteen-year-old boy faces hardship and neglect in a struggling household, dreaming of a better life as he confronts his stingy stepfather and contemplates the promise…
Level B2AdventureDiego Pinzon and the Fearful Voyage He Took Into the Unknown Ocean A.D. 1492In 1492 Andalusia, a daring crew led by the fearless Martin Alonzo Pinzon prepares to embark on a perilous voyage into the uncharted ocean, defying superstition and fear to chase a…
Level C2HistoricalDiego Collado's Grammar of the Japanese LanguageExplore the early 17th-century Japanese language through a detailed Latin grammar that applies classical Latin frameworks to a non-Indo-European tongue, offering unique insights in…
Level C1HistoricalDiddie, Dumps & Tot; or, Plantation child-lifeThree young sisters grow up on a Mississippi cotton plantation, surrounded by devoted caretakers and the rich traditions of Southern slave life.
Level C1HistoricalDickensian Inns & TavernsStep back into the charming world of Dickensian inns, where old coaching roads meet cozy taverns alive with history and character.
Level C1HistoricalDickens As an EducatorExplore how Dickens revolutionized education by championing childhood dignity, opposing harsh discipline, and inspiring reforms that prioritize a child's natural goodness and curio…
Level B2AdventureDick's Desertion: A Boy's Adventures in Canadian Forests: A Tale of the Early Settlement of OntarioA boy raised in the wild Canadian forests faces the harsh realities of pioneer life after his family’s fall from fortune, crafting a rugged existence amid untamed wilderness and fa…
Level B2AdventureDick o' the Fens: A Tale of the Great East SwampIn the wild Fenlands, young Dick Winthorpe and his friend Tom navigate a rugged landscape of fire, dogs, and mysterious hunters, where each day brings new challenges and adventures…
Level B2AdventureDick in the DesertA weary family struggles to survive as they cross the harsh Nevada desert, facing hunger, exhaustion, and the mysterious disappearance of their father while hunting.
Level C1AdventureDick Rodney; or, The Adventures of an Eton BoyAn adventurous Eton boy torn between family expectations and his restless spirit sets out on a journey filled with perils, sea voyages, and daring exploits beyond the bounds of sch…
Level B2HistoricalDiary of a PilgrimageEmbark on a witty pilgrimage to Ober-Ammergau for the famed Passion Play, blending humorous travelogue with insightful reflections on culture and adventure.
Level C1RomanceDiane of Ville Marie: A Romance of French CanadaAmidst the rugged wilderness of 1690 New France, a determined heiress and a captive New England girl embark on a perilous pilgrimage to Mount Royal, navigating danger, faith, and t…
Level C1HistoricalDialogueExplore the art of conversation as minds meet and clash in vivid dialogue, revealing character and conflict beyond mere narration.
Level B2AdventureDevon Boys: A Tale of the North ShoreThree school friends return to their rugged North Devon coast hometown, where new land ownership sparks adventures and rivalries amid wild cliffs, secret histories, and the promise…
Level C1HistoricalDevereux — CompleteA philosophical young man navigates the trials of life and belief against a historical backdrop, blending introspective character study with sweeping narrative.
Level C2HistoricalDepartmental ditties and Ballads and Barrack-room balladsExplore the ironies and intrigues of colonial life through sharp, satirical verse that reveals the timeless struggles of ambition, favoritism, and bureaucracy within the British Em…
Level C1RomanceDenounced: A RomanceCaught in a fierce storm, a young noblewoman journeys across treacherous seas with mysterious companions, her sharp gaze and defiant spirit hinting at secrets and dangers that thre…
Level C1HistoricalDemosIn a quiet valley overshadowed by industrial might, Wanley’s genteel families navigate shifting fortunes and hidden tensions.
Level C1HistoricalDemetrius: A PlayAmidst a tense Polish Diet, Prince Demetrius boldly claims his right to the Russian throne as Ivan's son, seeking justice and protection in a realm torn by past wars and political…
Level C1HistoricalDelusion; or, The Witch of New EnglandIn a remote New England village shadowed by superstition and hardship, a timid young man battles the weight of his humble origins and a society gripped by delusion, seeking strengt…
Level C1AdventureDelaware Tom; or, The Traitor GuideA weary wagon train crosses a harsh, barren plain under the watch of three striking figures: an old guide, a notorious and mistrusted man known as Dusky Dick, and a proud young wom…
Level C1FantasyDeirdreIn a realm shadowed by ominous omens and royal intrigue, a newborn girl named Deirdre is prophesied to bring destruction to Ulster.
Level B2AdventureDefending the Island: A story of Bar Harbor in 1758Two families settle on rugged Mount Desert Island in 1758, forging homes behind sturdy palisades to protect against looming threats.
Level C1AdventureDeering of Deal; Or, The Spirit of the SchoolA young Southern boy arrives late to Deal School, a storied academy steeped in family tradition and history, where he must navigate new challenges and forge his own path amid the e…
Level C1HistoricalDeep Waters; Or, A Strange StoryAmidst the grandeur of a Southern university commencement, a young orator captivates a crowd with a haunting speech on human sorrow, setting the stage for a remarkable journey thro…
Level C1HistoricalDeeds of Daring Done by GirlsIn a medieval castle, a spirited young lady defies expectations with her courage and wit, proving that daring deeds are not reserved for boys alone.
Level B2AdventureDecatur and SomersTwo young midshipmen embark on their first naval cruise aboard the formidable frigate United States, navigating the challenges of friendship, duty, and the perils of the sea in a t…
Level B2AdventureDeath-Dealer, the Shawnee Scourge; or The Wizard of the CliffsIn a tense frontier wilderness, a fierce scout known as the Death-Dealer relentlessly tracks Native American foes to protect settlers, driven by a grim past and unmatched survival…
Level C1HistoricalDeath comes for the archbishopIn 1848, a missionary bishop and three Cardinals gather in Rome to discuss establishing a new Apostolic Vicarate in the vast, untamed territory of New Mexico, where ancient faith s…
Level C1HistoricalDeadham Hard: A RomanceIn the shadowy world of Deadham Hard, a scholar seeks refuge in a house steeped in mystery and moral ambiguity, where rivers meet and secrets flow beneath the surface.
Level C1HistoricalDead Man's Plack and an Old ThornIn the quiet solitude of Hampshire's Harewood Forest, a chance encounter with a mysterious stone cross unravels a centuries-old legend about King Edgar and a fatal betrayal.
Level C1HistoricalDe Quincey's Revolt of the TartarsImmerse yourself in a richly imagined episode of Russian history as a brilliant and eccentric mind weaves vivid narrative from obscure sources, blending scholarly insight with impa…