Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
4,634 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.
- 4,634
- books
Level C1HistoricalSally DowsAmid the chaos of a fierce Civil War battle, a lone artillery unit holds its ground against relentless assaults, with the eerie charge of a riderless horse foreshadowing the grim t…
Level C1HistoricalSalammboAmidst the opulent gardens of Hamilcar's palace, soldiers from diverse nations gather to feast and revel, their cultures clashing and blending under the Mediterranean sun.
Level C1HistoricalSaint Patrick: 1887In a gritty urban neighborhood where dance halls and missions collide, a Saint Patrick's Day festival emerges as a beacon of hope and unity amid tension, temptation, and cultural d…
Level C1HistoricalSaint JoanA fiercely determined village girl claims divine guidance to lead France against its enemies, challenging kings, generals, and churchmen alike with her unyielding spirit and revolu…
Level C1AdventureSaint Bartholomew's Eve: A Tale of the Huguenot WarsAmid the brutal religious wars of 16th-century France, a Huguenot landowner flees persecution and begins anew with fellow refugees in England.
Level C1AdventureSailor Jack, the TraderCaught between duty and fear, Tom Randolph faces conscription amid the turmoil of the Civil War, struggling to protect his fellow Home Guards from harsh Confederate demands while g…
Level C1RomanceSaga of Halfred the Sigskald: A Northern Tale of the Tenth CenturyIn a land where elves and legends mingle, Halfred, a fierce Viking and unmatched skald, sets sail on his enchanted ship, the Singing Swan, to win glory through battles and song acr…
Level C1HistoricalSac-Au-Dos: 1907A young man, freshly graduated and disillusioned with law, finds himself conscripted into the chaotic French army during the Franco-Prussian War, thrust into the raw confusion and…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding in the Red Cross; Or, Doing Her Best for Uncle SamAs young men rush to training camps during wartime, Ruth Fielding packs supplies for the Red Cross while grappling with fears for her friend’s twin brother and the uncertain toll o…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at the War Front; or, The Hunt for the Lost SoldierAmid the distant thunder of war and the roar of planes, a determined Red Cross worker navigates the tense front lines, driven by hope and duty.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding Homeward Bound; Or, A Red Cross Worker's Ocean PerilsA Red Cross worker and her friends reminisce over tea, dreaming of home while navigating the perils of war and secret missions in France.
Level C1HistoricalRussian literatureExplore the vibrant world of 19th-century Russian literature, where poetry, novels, and drama intertwine with social and political ideals, revealing the nation's unique voice amid…
Level C1AdventureRupert of Hentzau: From The Memoirs of Fritz Von Tarlenheim: Sequel to The Prisoner of ZendaIn a kingdom still shadowed by past conspiracies, a cunning exile plots to reclaim his lost power through espionage and revenge, threatening the fragile peace and the secrets that…
Level C1AdventureRunnymede and Lincoln FairAmid the turbulent times of 13th-century England, Oliver Icingla, descendant of Saxon chiefs, navigates the fierce political struggles surrounding Magna Carta, revealing the birth…
Level B2AdventureRunning FoxA determined young Delaware warrior seeks to prove his courage by uncovering the mysterious power of a deadly Mohawk war-leader, embarking on a perilous journey into enemy territor…
Level C1AdventureRung Ho! A NovelIn a restless colonial city simmering with tension, a determined young woman rides alone through a hostile crowd, shadowed by a mysterious protector with a dangerous past.
Level C1HistoricalRule of the Monk; Or, Rome in the Nineteenth CenturyIn 19th-century Rome, amidst conspiracies, exile, and rebellion, a fierce struggle unfolds against the oppressive Papal rule.
Level B2AdventureRujub, the JugglerAmid the chaos of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny in India, a young, fearful soldier confronts his deepest fears and uncovers the mysterious arts of Rujub, a juggler whose secret powers blen…
Level B2HistoricalRufus and Rose; Or, The Fortunes of Rough and ReadyA resourceful street boy, Rufus, rises from newsboy to Wall Street employee while protecting his sister Rose from their harmful stepfather.
Level C1AdventureRudyard KiplingDive into an exploration of a writer who captures the heroic life of engineers, soldiers, and adventurers with literary craft and vivid realism, revealing the art behind tales of e…
Level B2HistoricalRudy and Babette; Or, The Capture of the Eagle's NestIn the breathtaking Swiss Alps, young Rudy navigates towering mountains, snowy glaciers, and deep valleys, guided by his loyal dog and clever cat as he discovers the wild beauty an…
Level B2AdventureRuby Roland, the Girl Spy; or, Simon Kenton's ProtegeAmid the tense wilderness of old Kentucky, a skilled young hunter named Simon Kenton navigates dangerous territory alone, relying on sharp instincts and cunning to survive as he em…
Level C1HistoricalRoyal HighnessIn a somber capital city, a young lieutenant defies rigid military protocol by commanding unexpected respect from a decorated general, revealing the complex burdens of royal duty c…
Level C1RomanceRowena & Harold: A Romance in Rhyme of an Olden Time, of Hastyngs and NormanhurstIn a land of fierce feuds and forbidden love, a proud maiden defies her Norman father's will to follow her heart for a noble Saxon knight.
Level C1HistoricalRousseau (Volume 1 and 2)Follow the turbulent life and revolutionary ideas of Rousseau, whose writings on society, education, and government challenge the conventions of his time and ignite political and i…
Level C1HistoricalRoundabout to Boston (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)A struggling writer in Venice during the American Civil War navigates literary rejection while forging connections with prominent Boston intellectuals and historians, capturing the…
Level B2FantasyRound-about Rambles in Lands of Fact and FancyEmbark on whimsical journeys through forests, ancient cities, and skies, encountering curious creatures, mysterious wonders, and enchanting tales that blend fact with fantasy in de…
Level B2RomanceRound Anvil Rock: A RomanceIn the shadow of ancient cottonwoods along the wide, peaceful river bends of 1811 Kentucky, a tender romance unfolds amid the whispers of the wilderness and the echoes of vanished…
Level B2RomanceRose o' the RiverA river-bound community stirs to life as Stephen Waterman, a true child of the Saco, embraces the river’s beauty and the promise of a new day—where nature’s charms mingle with the…
Level C1HistoricalRose Mather: A taleAs the nation plunges into civil war, a small village unites under the Stars and Stripes, where families face heart-wrenching choices between duty and love.
Level C1HistoricalRose D'Albret; or, Troublous Times.In a turbulent era where chivalry masks harsh realities, a young heiress struggles against the ruthless feudal system that binds her fate—and marriage—to the will of guardians and…
Level C1HistoricalRosamund, Queen of the Lombards: A TragedyIn the summer heat of 573 Verona, the Lombard king Albovine wrestles with doubts of love and loyalty as his queen, Rosamund, navigates court intrigues and forbidden desires, settin…
Level C1HistoricalRookwoodIn a world of intrigue and romance, daring exploits unfold against the backdrop of historic England, where secrets and legends intertwine.
HistoricalRookie rhymes, by the men of the 1st and 2nd provisional training regiments, Plattsburg, New YorkExperience the raw emotions and camaraderie of military training through spirited poems and songs that capture the hopes, hardships, and humor of rookie soldiers preparing for war…
Level C1AdventureRonald Morton; or, the Fire Ships: A Story of the Last Naval WarA Spanish man-of-war navigates the treacherous northern seas near Shetland, where ancestral ties and historic shipwrecks stir intrigue.
Level C1HistoricalRomolaIn the vibrant heart of Renaissance Florence, witness a city alive with ambition, art, and the timeless struggles of its people as a returning spirit observes a world both familiar…
Level C1HistoricalRomances of the old town of EdinburghIn the shadowed alleys of old Edinburgh, a royalist love triangle unfolds amid political turmoil and secret gardens.![Cover of Romances of Old Japan: Rendered into English from Japanese Sources by Yei Theodora [Translator] Ozaki](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabm21g9638s73a2uavg.webp)
Level C1HistoricalRomances of Old Japan: Rendered into English from Japanese SourcesDive into ancient Japan's world of honor and vengeance, where samurai loyalty clashes with deadly rivalry, and spirits of the past stir in haunting tales of love, betrayal, and the…
Level C1HistoricalRomance: Two LecturesExplore the rich tapestry of English literature and history from 1783 to 1832, as the lectures dissect the Romantic Revival and challenge traditional labels, revealing the complex…
Level B2AdventureRollo's MuseumA young boy, ordered to rest his eyes during summer vacation, finds himself drawn into an unexpected adventure helping dig a canal and exploring the natural world around his home.
Level B2AdventureRollo in LondonA young traveler explores the sprawling twin cities of London, uncovering the rich history and vibrant contrasts between the ancient commercial heart and the regal political West E…
Level B2MysteryRogues' HavenTwo boys caught poaching face a dangerous chase and an unexpected collision with a mysterious gentleman, Mr.
Level C1HistoricalRoger the ranger: A story of border life among the IndiansA young hunter defies his family’s wishes to embrace a life among the Native Americans, igniting old rivalries and a haunting prophecy that threatens to tear the land apart.
Level C1AdventureRoger Willoughby: A Story of the Times of BenbowA young gentleman obsessed with navigation dreams of sailing to distant, mysterious lands even as friends warn of fanciful tales and looming dangers.
Level C1HistoricalRoger Kyffin's WardAmid the 1797 London panic, merchants, nobles, and commoners swarm the Bank of England and Royal Exchange, gripped by rumors of rebellion, mutiny, and financial collapse.
Level B2HistoricalRoger Davis, LoyalistAs war erupts near Boston, sixteen-year-old Roger Davis faces the loss of his father and the shattering of his Loyalist family’s world, forcing him to confront fierce new responsib…
Level B2HistoricalRodney, the PartisanAs tensions rise on the eve of the Civil War, young Rodney Gray pledges unwavering loyalty to the Southern cause, donning his gray uniform with pride despite the looming conflict a…
Level B2HistoricalRodney, the OverseerAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, Rodney Gray abandons his military studies to join a fiercely independent Southern cavalry company, navigating divided loyalties and chaotic skirm…