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 C1HistoricalKing Eric and the Outlaws, Vol. 2: or, the Throne, the Church, and the People in the Thirteenth Century.In a tense standoff at a fortified castle, a king confronts rebellion while seeking refuge and counsel within a monastery, navigating the volatile clash between throne, church, and…
Level C1HistoricalKing Eric and the Outlaws, Vol. 1: or, the Throne, the Church, and the People in the Thirteenth Century.In 13th-century Denmark, King Eric faces political turmoil as he contends with rebellious outlaws, the Church’s power, and rising urban forces.
Level C2HistoricalKing Edward IIIAmidst claims of royal blood and disputed thrones, a resolute King Edward III confronts French defiance to assert his inheritance and ignite a fierce struggle for sovereignty and h…
Level C1HistoricalKing CandaulesIn ancient Sardes, the grand festival of King Candaules' wedding stirs a city alive with anticipation, mystery, and whispered tales of a bride whose beauty captivates all yet remai…
Level C1RomanceKing Arthur in history and legendStep into the blurred line between history and myth as the tale of King Arthur unfolds, revealing a legendary king whose true origins and court remain shrouded in mystery amid a ri…
Level C1AdventureKing Alfred's Viking: A Story of the First English FleetA fierce Viking prince, dispossessed by a ruthless king, finds himself commanding King Alfred’s first English fleet.
Level C1HistoricalKincaid's BatteryAmid the lush Louisiana Delta on the brink of the Civil War, a retired soldier watches as a newly armed field battery prepares for action, weaving together the lives of a genteel f…
Level C1AdventureKimIn the bustling streets of Lahore, a clever boy named Kim navigates a world of secret missions, shifting identities, and ancient magic, caught between his English heritage and nati…
Level C1AdventureKilgorman: A Story of Ireland in 1798Amidst the turbulent backdrop of Ireland in 1798, young heroes Barry Gallagher, Tim, and Kit embark on thrilling adventures filled with youthful energy, hope, and the spirit of boy…
Level C1AdventureKidnapped (Illustrated): Being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751A young orphan sets off on a mysterious journey to the House of Shaws, carrying a secret inheritance and a letter from his late father.
Level B2AdventureKibun Daizin; Or, From Shark-Boy to Merchant PrinceA determined orphan boy journeys alone to Kumano, seeking to become an apprentice at the town’s leading dry-goods house.
Level C1AdventureKiana: a Tradition of HawaiiA white priest and a refined woman are shipwrecked on ancient Hawaii, where they gain influence and become entwined with the island’s chiefs and customs, blending foreign knowledge…
Level C1HistoricalKeziah CoffinIn a fog-shrouded coastal town, Keziah Coffin faces the loss of her brother and the challenge of starting anew in Boston as a seamstress, all while the village buzzes with news of…
Level C1HistoricalKenilworthIn the shadowy court of Queen Elizabeth, passion and power collide as the ambitious Earl of Leicester eyes the throne, entangling love, suspicion, and deadly intrigue surrounding t…
Level C1RomanceKeith of the Border: A Tale of the PlainsA rugged plainsman navigates the vast, hostile frontier in 1868, caught between restless Native tribes united against settlers and his dangerous mission to deliver crucial news acr…
Level C1FantasyKeeping Tryst: A Tale of King Arthur's TimeA young page yearns for knighthood but lacks the strength for heroic battle—until a mysterious minstrel reveals a secret quest that calls for unwavering faithfulness and courage be…
Level B2HistoricalKathie's SoldiersAs war looms over Brookside, young Robert eagerly embraces the thrill of marching off to battle, while his family debates the true meaning of courage, duty, and sacrifice.
Level C1RomanceKaterfelto: A Story of ExmoorIn 1763 England, amid political turmoil and spirited tavern debates, a group of gentlemen navigate loyalty, defiance, and intrigue.
Level B2HistoricalKate Danton, or, Captain Danton's Daughters: A NovelIn a rain-soaked estate by the great St.
Level C1AdventureKate Aylesford: A Story of the RefugeesAs a young woman and her aunt voyage across the Atlantic, breathtaking sunsets and mysterious cloud shapes hint at the adventure and upheaval awaiting these refugees far from home.
Level C1HistoricalKasba (White Partridge): A Story of Hudson BayIn the frozen expanse of Hudson Bay, a determined young trapper navigates the brutal wilderness, facing nature’s harshness and the mysterious delay of a vital supply train.
Level C1HistoricalKabukiDive into the vibrant world of Kabuki, where Japan’s popular theatre brings history, legend, and drama to life with stunning artistry and centuries-old traditions performed by mast…
Level C1HistoricalJustice in the By-Ways, a Tale of LifeIn a South Carolina gripped by political turmoil and social decay, the author exposes the corrosive ignorance and follies undermining the state's foundations.
Level A2HistoricalJunior Park Ranger Program: Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National MonumentsExplore the mysteries of Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments through the eyes of a Junior Park Ranger, uncovering ancient pottery, native plants, and the story of the…
Level B2AdventureJungle and Stream; Or, The Adventures of Two Boys in SiamTwo adventurous boys navigate life in the wilds of Siam, surrounded by exotic jungles, rivers, and creatures, as they face daily challenges from nature and culture in a remote, tro…
Level C1AdventureJungle TalesIn the sweltering jungles of India, a weary subaltern navigates the costly and chaotic Christmas season, seeking escape from relentless demands and unexpected family visits.
Level C2HistoricalJulius CaesarAmidst Rome’s bustling streets, tensions rise as commoners debate Caesar’s triumph and the fading loyalty to Pompey, setting the stage for political intrigue and the clash of power…
Level C1HistoricalJulia Ward Howe, 1819-1910Explore the rich legacy of a remarkable family intertwined with American history, from Revolutionary War heroes to steadfast leaders, as one woman honors the virtues of her ancesto…
Level C1HistoricalJulia France and Her Times: A NovelIn the vibrant Caribbean society of the Leeward Islands, a young debutante’s entrance is marked by whispers of destiny and dark family secrets, as her formidable mother navigates a…
Level C1HistoricalJudith Trachtenberg: A NovelIn a small Galician town under Emperor Francis I, a cultured Jewish family navigates the tensions between tradition and assimilation, as siblings Raphael and Judith confront the pa…
Level C1HistoricalJudith Shakespeare: Her love affairs and other adventuresA young English woman strolls through idyllic Maytime fields near Stratford-upon-Avon, her outward cheerfulness masking secret intentions as she seeks a hidden meeting in the lush…
Level C1HistoricalJoyce Morrell's Harvest: The Annals of Selwick HallAt Selwick Hall, a spirited family debates recording their quiet lives, uncovering the subtle truths beneath everyday moments.
Level C1HistoricalJoy in the MorningAmid the brutal chaos of a 1918 battlefield, a wounded American soldier clings to memories of home and questions the meaning behind the sacrifice of countless young lives, revealin…
Level C1HistoricalJovinian: A Story of the Early Days of Papal RomeAmid the grandeur of early fourth-century Rome, two pontiffs plot to quell the rising Christian faith threatening the ancient gods, as grand festivals and brutal spectacles vie for…
Level C1HistoricalJoshua — CompleteAmid the harsh landscapes of Goshen and Sinai, a gripping historical romance unfolds, tracing the epic Exodus of the Hebrews intertwined with the political intrigues of ancient Egy…
Level B2HistoricalJoseph II. and His Court: An Historical NovelAmid the tense atmosphere of Empress Maria Theresa’s council chamber, powerful statesmen gather to confront a critical political crisis that will shape the fate of her empire and h…
Level B2HistoricalJoscelyn Cheshire: A Story of Revolutionary Days in the CarolinasAmid the turbulent days of the American Revolution, a young Continental soldier returns home, stirring fierce loyalties and sharp wit among those around him.
Level C1HistoricalJohnson's Lives of the Poets — Volume 1Explore the intertwined lives of English poets, from the troubled Richard Savage to the pious Joseph Addison, as their stories reveal the trials, deceptions, and triumphs behind th…
Level C1HistoricalJohn de Lancaster: a novel; vol. I.In 18th-century Merionethshire, Cecilia De Lancaster dutifully manages her ancestral home and fends off the persistent, boisterous advances of Sir Owen ap Owen, whose rustic charm…
Level C1AdventureJohn Vytal: A Tale of the Lost ColonyAmid the mystery of the vanished Roanoke colony, a young man of fierce vitality navigates the turbulent Elizabethan world, where adventure and enigma intertwine on the edge of the…
Level B2RomanceJohn Stevens' Courtship: A Story of the Echo Canyon WarIn the rugged frontier of Utah during the Echo Canyon War, John Stevens navigates love and loyalty amidst pioneer hardships and stirring conflicts.
Level C1AdventureJohn Splendid: The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of LornA young Highlander returns from foreign wars, dreaming of reclaiming his place in the rugged glens and lively villages of his homeland, where loyalty, love, and old rivalries simme…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Smith's Funny Adventures on a Crutch: Or The Remarkable Peregrinations of a One-legged Soldier after the WarAfter a brutal injury at Antietam leaves him one-legged, John Smith embarks on a series of humorous and remarkable adventures, navigating life and war’s aftermath with wit and resi…
Level C1HistoricalJohn March, SouthernerIn the waning days of the Civil War, a young boy rides through the Southern town of Suez with his father, Judge Powhatan March, as the community grapples with the scars of battle a…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Keble's Parishes: A History of Hursley and OtterbourneExplore the rich history of Hursley and Otterbourne, tracing ancient fossils, Roman roads, and local barrows, while uncovering the lives of notable figures and the evolution of chu…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Inglesant: A Romance (Volume 2 of 2)An Englishman’s journey through Renaissance Italy immerses him in the beauty of art, music, and the intricate politics of the Papal court, where power, intrigue, and passion intert…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Inglesant: A Romance (Volume 1 of 2)In turbulent 17th-century England, a young Oxford scholar becomes entangled in secret missions, religious intrigue, and the complex loyalties surrounding King Charles I and the Cat…
Level C1HistoricalJohn Inglefield's Thanksgiving: (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")On Thanksgiving night, a grieving blacksmith welcomes the unexpected return of his estranged daughter, Prudence, stirring deep family tensions and unspoken sorrows by the fireside.