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.
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Level C1HistoricalQuintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 2In turbulent Imperial Rome, Emperor Domitian faces ominous graffiti and a rebellious centurion, while an astrologer predicts his violent downfall—sparking a deadly game of power, p…
Level C1RomanceQuintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 1Aboard a trireme near the shores of ancient Campania, a stout man named Herodianus peers toward the distant island of Capreae, setting the stage for a vivid journey through the sti…
Level C1RomanceQuicksandsIn a sultry English countryside, a young woman navigates family tensions and social snubs while uncovering secrets that threaten to upend her carefully guarded world.
Level C1HistoricalQuestions at IssueDive into a lively exploration of contemporary literature where criticism sheds its authoritative mask for open, spirited debate on the shifting art and ideas that shape the litera…
Level C1AdventureQuentin DurwardAmid the fading age of chivalry and ruthless ambition of Louis XI, a young knight navigates a treacherous world where honor clashes with cunning, and loyalty is tested by the selfi…
Level C1HistoricalQueens of the French StageStep into the vibrant theatrical world of 17th-century Paris, where Armande Béjart, daughter of a struggling family, rises amid the bustling stages and intrigues surrounding Molièr…
Level C1AdventureQueen of the jesters, and her strange adventures in old ParisIn the shadowy streets of old Paris, a proud young man arrives hungry and desperate, seeking aid from the enigmatic Corinne de Montesson, a woman who defies nobility and law alike…
Level B2AdventureQueen of the Dawn: A Love Tale of Old EgyptIn a land torn by war, an infant princess named Nefra is hidden from the conquerors who demand her surrender, while mysterious divine forces surround her birth, hinting at a destin…
Level C1HistoricalQueen Moo's Talisman: The Fall of the Maya EmpireDelve into the rich spiritual and cultural tapestry of the ancient Maya, exploring their beliefs in immortality, divine intelligence, and sacred rituals, all woven through traditio…
Level C1HistoricalQueen Mary; and, HaroldAmidst political intrigue and religious turmoil, Queen Mary ascends the throne, navigating alliances and rivalries that threaten her reign and England's future.
Level C1HistoricalQueen Hortense: A Life Picture of the Napoleonic EraBorn into the turmoil of revolution and empire, Hortense Beauharnais endures exile, loss, and fading glory as queen and poetess.
Level B2FantasyPuck of Pook's HillTwo children’s midsummer play awakens the mischievous Puck, who invites them on a magical journey through England’s ancient past, where history and legend come alive beneath the hi…
Level B2HistoricalPsycheIn ancient Rome, young Gannon rises from humble beginnings to become a trusted secretary to powerful figures, navigating intrigue and ambition in a world where loyalty and danger i…
Level C1HistoricalProverb Lore: Many sayings, wise or otherwise, on many subjects, gleaned from many sourcesExplore the timeless wisdom woven into proverbs from across the world, revealing shared human truths and enduring lessons on life, folly, friendship, and hope that connect diverse…
Level C1HistoricalProse remains of Arthur Hugh Clough, with a selection from his letters and a memoirExplore the rich family history and early life of Arthur Hugh Clough, tracing his Welsh ancestry and childhood across England, America, and the influences that shaped his literary…
Level C1HistoricalProper pride : A novel. Volume 2 (of 3)Amid the breathtaking beauty of the Neilgherry Hills, Sir Reginald embarks on a transformative journey that intertwines nature’s splendor with intriguing local legends and the comp…
Level C1RomanceProper prideIn sunlit Malta, two British officers discuss the captivating Miss Saville, an orphaned heiress bound by guardianship and a looming marriage to a distant soldier.
Level B1HistoricalProfessor JohnnyA young boy nicknamed Professor Johnny finds himself facing an unexpected crisis when a sudden fire threatens his home, forcing him to act quickly and courageously while caring for…
Level C1HistoricalProbationIn the heart of a bustling Lancashire cotton factory, skilled workers navigate the relentless rhythm of looms and the sharp scrutiny of overseers, revealing a world where human pre…
Level C1HistoricalPrivy Seal: His Last VentureIn turbulent Renaissance Paris, a learned English magister navigates political intrigue and personal desires while Latinizing secret letters between diplomats.
Level C1HistoricalPrivate Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 2 (of 2)Step into the intimate world of 18th-century politics and society through the candid private letters of a newly elected parliamentarian navigating public duties, personal connectio…
Level C1HistoricalPrivate Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)Delve into the intimate world of Edward Gibbon through a collection of his private letters, revealing the personal relationships, historical reflections, and literary legacy of one…
Level C1HistoricalPrisoners of Hope: A Tale of Colonial VirginiaIn 1663 colonial Virginia, a spirited young woman eagerly awaits a sloop carrying fine fashions and letters from England, embodying the clash of Old World elegance and New World wi…
Level C1HistoricalPrisoners of ConscienceIn the rugged Shetland Islands, Liot Borson, a man torn between pagan heritage and Christian faith, grapples with an ancient family curse as he recounts the tragic saga of his doom…
Level C1AdventurePrisoners of Chance: The Story of What Befell Geoffrey Benteen, Borderman, through His Love for a Lady of FranceCaught between fierce Native tribes and colonial powers, Geoffrey Benteen’s adventurous journey reveals the tragic fate of a mysterious vanished people and a forbidden love that co…
Level C1HistoricalPrinciple in Art, Etc.Explore a rigorous defense of true artistic criticism, arguing that genuine judgment, grounded in principle rather than mere feeling, shapes and elevates art by cultivating a disce…
Level B2HistoricalPrinceton StoriesAt Princeton in the late 19th century, fierce rivalry ignites during the infamous Cane Spree, a wild, midnight campus tradition where freshmen and sophomores battle for honor amid…
Level B2HistoricalPrincess Belle-EtoileThree radiant siblings, born with stars on their foreheads and jewels in their hair, are set adrift by jealous relatives but saved by a corsair's family.
Level C1HistoricalPrince and HereticIn a world where alchemy and astrology shape destinies, a weary court alchemist struggles to unlock the philosopher's stone while the Protestant Elector of Saxony seeks cosmic guid…
Level C1RomancePrince Zilah — CompleteIn a world where passion and power collide, a noble prince navigates the complexities of love and duty.
Level C1RomancePrince Rupert, the BuccaneerAmidst the Caribbean's ruthless buccaneers, Prince Rupert confronts the brutal fate of his loyal soldiers, now sold as mere cargo in a harsh new world where honor and survival coll…
Level C1HistoricalPrince Eugene and His TimesAmid court intrigues and fierce family rivalries, a young noblewoman defies arranged marriage to protect her heart, while powerful enemies and royal secrets threaten to unravel her…
Level C1HistoricalPreston Fight; or, The Insurrection of 1715Amid the turbulent Jacobite uprising of 1715, a young, loyal nobleman leads a desperate defense of Preston against betrayal and overwhelming odds.
Level C1HistoricalPrentice HughIn medieval Exeter, a courageous boy fends off a gang of bullies with the help of a loyal hound and the unexpected protection of a Franciscan friar, revealing a world of fierce loy…
Level C1HistoricalPrefaces to Terence's Comedies and Plautus's Comedies (1694)Explore the challenges and intentions behind translating Terence's and Plautus's comedies into English, revealing 17th-century theatrical rivalries, neoclassical drama theory, and…
Level C1HistoricalPre-Raphaelite and other PoetsExplore insightful lectures delivered to Japanese students that dissect the works of Rossetti, Swinburne, Browning, and other poets, revealing profound truths about modern poetry t…
Level C1HistoricalPowhatan; A Metrical Romance, in Seven CantosAn epic metrical romance unfolds the story of Powhatan, a formidable Native American chieftain who unites tribes into a powerful confederacy amid the arrival of English settlers.
Level C1HistoricalPost-Augustan Poetry From Seneca to JuvenalExplore the overlooked world of post-Augustan Roman poetry, revealing the merits and flaws of poets navigating the decline of classical ideals under imperial rule, from dramatic wo…
Level C1HistoricalPorziaIn Renaissance Naples, a wedding day sparks fierce clashes between faith, heresy, and passion as Rizzio, a free-thinking leader, defies religious dogma and family ties, igniting a…
Level C1HistoricalPortuguese literatureExplore the rich history and revival of Portuguese literature, from forgotten medieval lyrics to influential 19th-century works, revealing a vibrant tradition rediscovered and cele…
Level C1RomancePoppea of the Post-OfficeIn a small New England village gripped by the Civil War’s uncertainty, the postmaster anxiously awaits delayed mail that carries news from the front, weaving together community hop…
Level C1HistoricalPope, His Descent and Family Connections: Facts and ConjecturesDelve into the contested origins of a celebrated poet, as noble critics challenge his birth and he fiercely defends his heritage, revealing the complexities of social status and fa…
Level C1HistoricalPoor White: A NovelIn a bleak Missouri river town where poverty and despair reign, young Hugh McVey struggles to rise above his harsh upbringing and find purpose, guided by a stern yet caring station…
Level C1HistoricalPonteach; Or, The Savages of AmericaA soldier and frontiersman recounts his tumultuous experiences with Native American tribes during the French and Indian War, revealing alliances, betrayals, and the harsh realities…
Level B2HistoricalPollyannaA stern woman reluctantly agrees to care for her late sister’s lively eleven-year-old daughter, whose arrival promises to stir the quiet household and challenge its somber ways.
Level C1HistoricalPolitics: A Treatise on GovernmentExplore the foundation of society as a legislator crafts a community aimed at the good life, blending ethics with governance.
Level C1HistoricalPoets of the South: A Series of Biographical and Critical Studies with Typical Poems, AnnotatedExplore the rich, often overlooked poetic heritage of the American South through vivid biographical and critical portraits of its leading poets.
Level B2HistoricalPoets and Dreamers: Studies and translations from the IrishTwo old women debate the fierce rivalry between two legendary Irish poets, Raftery and Callinan, whose songs and sharp tongues still echo through the memories of their homeland.