Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
3,748 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 Mesmerist's Victim, The Merry Men, and Other Tales and Fables and The Mercy of the Lord. 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.
- 3,748
- books
Level C1RomanceThe Knight of the Golden Melice: A Historical RomanceIn the early 17th century, amid the rugged wilderness of New England, adventurers, merchants, and settlers embark on a perilous quest to establish a new colony, driven by ambition,…
Level C1RomanceThe Knight of MaltaAlong the turbulent coasts of 17th-century Provence, fearless sentries watch for ruthless Barbary pirates who raid villages and seize ships despite fortresses and muskets.
Level C1HistoricalThe Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. 2 (of 2)A knight revisits a coastal village haunted by memories of a passionate, tumultuous past with Maria Daly, whose spirited beauty masks a deeper sorrow.
Level C1HistoricalThe Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. 1 (of 2)Amidst the sweeping landscapes of the Tyrol, a chance encounter leads to the lease of a grand old castle, setting the stage for a tale woven through political intrigue and family d…
Level C1MysteryThe Kingdom of the BlindIn a glamorous Ritz Hotel lounge, wounded Captain Ronald Granet returns from the front, reuniting with a circle of intriguing guests whose secrets intertwine with the shadows of wa…
Level C1HistoricalThe King's Stratagem, and Other StoriesAmidst the tense rivalry between Henry IV of Navarre and the Catholic League, two governors engage in a high-stakes game that threatens loyalty, honor, and control of a strategic f…
Level B2AdventureThe King's SonsFour Saxon princes grow strong under the watchful eyes of their king and fierce protector, learning swordplay and preparing for the looming threat of Norse invaders.
Level C1AdventureThe King's ScapegoatA disgraced envoy recounts a perilous mission that nearly cost him honor and life, revealing hidden court intrigues and the harsh realities of loyalty in a turbulent France.
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 3 (of 3)Caught in relentless rain and isolated in a deserted Spanish villa, Quentin and the passionate Donna Isidora navigate growing affection and dangerous uncertainty during the chaos o…
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 2 (of 3)An officer faces a sudden summons to command a battalion abroad, forcing a tense farewell amid family hopes and hidden emotions.
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 1 (of 3)Amid a stormy November sea near the rugged Scottish coast, Lady Winifred watches anxiously as a brig battles treacherous reefs and rising tides, setting the stage for a tale of war…
Level C1HistoricalThe King's OwnAmid the turmoil of the 1797 Mutiny at the Nore, a talented sailor wrongfully accused of theft faces disgrace and injustice, transforming a loyal subject into a brooding rebel.
Level C1HistoricalThe King's Mirror (Speculum regale-Konungs skuggsjá)Explore the intellectual richness of medieval Scandinavia as a thoughtful author delves into science, society, and philosophy in a didactic work that challenges assumptions about c…
Level C1Science FictionThe King's Men: A Tale of To-morrowIn a future England where monarchy is exiled and aristocracy crumbles, a young nobleman wrestles with his fading legacy and a society transformed by political upheaval and economic…
Level C1HistoricalThe King's HighwayAmidst the stormy Irish coast, two military men and a thoughtful boy confront secrets and loss, their fates intertwined with the turbulent sea and shadowed pasts.
Level C1AdventureThe King's Esquires; Or, The Jewel of FranceIn the grand Palace of Fontainebleau, a restless young esquire hones his swordsmanship while shadows lurk behind the curtains, hinting at danger and intrigue within King Francis I’…
Level C1HistoricalThe King's DaughtersIn 1556 Colchester, the lives of women intertwine over the choice of gowns and fabrics, revealing secrets, social tensions, and whispers of heresy in a world where every decision c…
Level B2HistoricalThe King's Cup-BearerAmid the fragrant gardens and sparkling rivers of ancient Shushan, a Jewish foreigner rises to power in the Persian king’s magnificent palace.
Level C1AdventureThe King's Assegai: A Matabili StoryAn old Zulu warrior guards a priceless assegai, the spear of a forgotten king, and begins to reveal the fierce battles and shifting loyalties of a turbulent era in Zululand’s histo…
Level B2AdventureThe King's Arrow: A Tale of the United Empire LoyalistsTwo loyalists navigate treacherous wilderness and hostile forces in 1783 as they seek safety and survival amid the turmoil following the American Revolution.
Level C1HistoricalThe King's AchievementIn a grand country estate, two brothers return home after long absences, bringing with them secrets and tensions that stir their family’s quiet life.
Level C1AdventureThe King of Pirates: Being an Account of the Famous Enterprises of Captain Avery, the Mock King of MadagascarDive into the turbulent world of Captain Avery, the so-called King of Pirates, who challenges the wild rumors of his exploits with his own letters revealing the truth behind his no…
Level C1HistoricalThe King Of Beaver, and Beaver Lights: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899On remote Beaver Island, a charismatic prophet known as the King of Beaver wields spiritual and political power over a close-knit community, while Emeline grapples with a forbidden…
Level C1HistoricalThe King Behind the KingUnder the moonlit yews of Black Gill, a vigilant forester confronts a defiant woman caught poaching in the lord’s forest, igniting a battle of wits and will amid the shadows of med…
Level B2HistoricalThe Kiltartan History BookJourney through ancient Ireland’s rich tales of legendary tribes, master craftsmen, and cunning women who shape fate with wit and wisdom in a land where love and invention define s…
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys over the Top; Or, Doing and Daring for Uncle SamFive comrades in the trenches brace for a daring dawn assault, their camaraderie tested amid the tense shadows of wartime.
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys at the Front; or, Shoulder to Shoulder in the TrenchesFive young soldiers forge an unbreakable bond as they navigate training, friendship, and the harsh realities of World War I, preparing to face the front lines in war-torn France.
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys Fighting to Win; or, Smashing the German LinesAmid distant bombardments and tense moments in a bomb-proof dugout, a group of khaki-clad soldiers prepare for relentless battles against German forces, sharing camaraderie, braver…
Level B2HistoricalThe Kentucky RangerIn the rugged Kentucky wilderness, a determined pioneer preacher rides tirelessly, spreading faith and facing mockery, danger, and frontier challenges.
Level C1HistoricalThe Kellys and the O'KellysAmid the heated 1844 Dublin trials against Irish nationalist leaders, the city pulses with divided loyalties and fierce debate, as every legal twist and public reaction reveals the…
Level B2AdventureThe Keepers of the Trail: A Story of the Great WoodsIn the vast, untamed wilderness of Kentucky, a skilled youth named Henry Ware reigns supreme, blending seamlessly with the forest as he navigates its dangers and wonders.
Level C1AdventureThe Kangaroo MarinesFour rugged men from the Australian Bush answer a bold call to join the elite Kangaroo Marines, ready to prove their courage and loyalty in the fierce battles of the Dardanelles.
Level C1AdventureThe Kangaroo Hunters; Or, Adventures in the BushA grieving rector struggles to overcome his loss and wavering faith, torn between staying in his parish or embracing missionary work in distant lands.
Level C1HistoricalThe Justice of the KingAmid the restless unease of ailing King Louis at his château, a mysterious, urgent despatch arrives, stirring intrigue and suspicion within the guarded halls of Valmy.
Level C1HistoricalThe Junior Classics, Volume 7: Stories of Courage and HeroismDive into true tales of bravery spanning history—from the heroic stand of Catherine Douglas to the daring adventures of a kidnapped boy among Native Americans—each story vividly br…
Level C1HistoricalThe Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalryEnter a world of knights and legendary quests, where young pages train to become noble warriors, mastering chivalry, combat, and honor in tales of King Arthur, Robin Hood, and Don…
Level C1AdventureThe Jungle GirlIn colonial India, a daring young officer prepares for a thrilling day of pigsticking with the Maharajah, navigating the challenges of military life, friendship, and the allure of…
Level C1AdventureThe Jungle Fugitives: A Tale of Life and Adventure in India: Including also Many Stories of American Adventure, Enterprise and DaringAmid the rising flames of the 1857 Indian uprising, an American doctor and his daughter navigate a land on the brink of chaos, where loyalty, love, and survival intertwine against…
Level B2AdventureThe Jungle BookIn the heart of the jungle, a wolf pack faces the threat of the fierce tiger Shere Khan, whose hunger for man disrupts the delicate balance of the wild.
Level B2HistoricalThe Jugglers: A StoryA traveling troupe of jugglers and singers faces a crucial decision about where to winter, while their prima donna, Diane, recalls her humble origins and dreams of the town she nev…
Level C2HistoricalThe Judgement of ValhallaIn the brutal crucible of war, a deserter faces both earthly execution and a chilling judgment in the afterlife.
Level C1HistoricalThe Journal of a Voyage to LisbonA revealing voyage diary chronicles a journey to Lisbon, blending poignant reflections on illness, family devotion, and sharp social observations.
Level C1HistoricalThe Journal of Countess Françoise Krasinska, Great Grandmother of Victor EmmanuelA young countess in 18th-century Poland begins a personal journal to chronicle her noble family's legacy and the turbulent events surrounding them, revealing the pride, duty, and c…
Level C1HistoricalThe Jessamy BrideIn a lively 18th-century dinner gathering, sharp wit and heated debates unfold among celebrated figures as they clash over the nature of acting—art or mere trickery—unveiling the t…
Level C1HistoricalThe Italians: A NovelIn 19th-century Lucca, the vibrant celebration of the Volto Santo festival brings together peasants, nobles, and clergy, weaving a rich tapestry of local life, traditions, and secr…
Level B2AdventureThe Island of EnchantmentAs Venice faces a looming invasion and internal strife, young Zuan Gradenigo is summoned by his ailing uncle, the doge, who fiercely vows to defend their cherished island of Arbe f…
Level C1AdventureThe Island QueenStranded in a tiny boat on the vast Southern Ocean, a young man battles exhaustion and despair while caring for his sister and brother, clinging to hope amid starvation and loss.
Level C1HistoricalThe Iron Trevet; or, Jocelyn the Champion: A Tale of the JacquerieIn a turbulent 14th-century village, a weary serf and a scarred, armored traveler converge at a tense tavern, setting the stage for a tale of rebellion, human nature, and the clash…