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 C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 4 (of 4)Betrayed as an infant heir, Henry of Montfort grows up in secret, raised by a loyal guardian and trained for battle to reclaim his rightful inheritance.
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 3 (of 4)In a world of hidden snares and secret alliances, Amabel's innocent nature leads her into a web of mystery and danger surrounding her missing sister and a convent refuge.
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 2 (of 4)Amidst treacherous alliances and hidden betrayals, Urania Venosta and Adelaide of the Beacon-Tower navigate a web of deceit and danger that threatens their lives and hearts in a wo…
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 1 (of 4)A widowed countess retreats to a convent, her grief for a benefactor-husband intertwined with hidden burdens and difficult choices about wealth, loyalty, and sacrifice in a world o…
Level C1HistoricalFern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 1Explore the untamed frontier of Queensland, where settlers strive to build honor and prosperity amidst prejudice and wild challenges.
Level C1HistoricalFenimore Cooper's Literary OffencesExplore a scathing critique of a renowned forest adventure novel, exposing its numerous breaches of storytelling rules and literary art, while delving into the quirks and clichés t…
Level C1HistoricalFeminism in Greek Literature from Homer to AristotleExplore how ancient Greek literature reflects deep-seated conflicts over women's roles, revealing a society divided by a "sex-war" that shaped moral ideals and cultural decline, wh…
Level C1HistoricalFelicitas: A Tale of the German Migrations: A.D. 476Amid the twilight of Roman rule in the Salzach valley, a young scholar wanders ancient roads and forgotten villas, tracing the silent footsteps of Germanic tribes as they encroach…
Level C1AdventureFeats on the Fiord: The third book in "The Playfellow"Amid Norway’s breathtaking fjords, a remote farmstead thrives in the harsh arctic wilderness where majestic mountains, shimmering waters, and the resilient spirit of its people set…
Level C1HistoricalFathers of MenTwo new boys arrive at Heriot’s house, sparking quiet judgments and hidden truths beneath their manners and accents.
Level C1HistoricalFathers and SonsA fierce ideological clash unfolds as the nihilist Bazarov challenges the fading Russian aristocracy, igniting tension between the conservative older generation and the rebellious…
Level C1HistoricalFathers and ChildrenGenerations clash in a Russian provincial town where a young nihilist returns home, challenging the old order with radical ideas and stirring tensions between fathers and sons.
Level C1HistoricalFather GoriotIn a shabby Paris boarding house, a penniless young woman and the mysterious Father Goriot navigate the harsh realities of poverty, ambition, and broken dreams amid the city's grim…
Level B2MysteryFast as the Wind: A NovelA wealthy sportsman navigates a tangled web of loyalty, rivalry, and love amid the scenic beauty of Torquay and the looming shadows of family secrets.
Level C1RomanceFarinaIn a vibrant Rhineland city ruled by fierce devotion, young men battle for the favor of Margarita, the dazzling White Rose, whose beauty ignites fierce loyalty and fierce rivalry a…
Level C1HistoricalFarewellTwo old schoolfellows, a weary magistrate and a lively soldier, navigate the oppressive heat and tangled paths of the French countryside, their contrasting spirits tested by a day…
Level B2RomanceFar to seekA young boy grows up between two cultures, raised by a remarkable mother who defies prejudice with love and courage.
Level B2AdventureFar Past the FrontierIn a frontier town shaken by a violent attack, two determined boys race against time to uncover the truth behind a deadly assault and prepare for their daring westward journey.
Level C1HistoricalFar Off; Or, Asia and Australia Described: With Anecdotes and IllustrationsExplore distant lands and meet their people through vivid tales of missionaries, sacred places, and real events that inspire young minds to cherish truth and faith over fiction.
Level B2RomanceFanny Campbell, The Female Pirate Captain: A Tale of The RevolutionAmid the rugged shores of Revolutionary Massachusetts, a fearless woman defies tradition to command a pirate ship, navigating love, jealousy, and war.
Level C1HistoricalFancy's Show-Box (From "Twice Told Tales")An aging man confronts a haunting question: can guilt stain the soul from mere thoughts, without deeds?
Level C1HistoricalFamous funny fellowsExplore the rise of American newspaper humor through vivid sketches of iconic humorists, including the mischievous early life and adventurous career of Mark Twain as a steamboat pi…
Level C1HistoricalFamous Women: George SandExplore the extraordinary life of a woman born of noble and humble origins, whose unique lineage and turbulent early years shaped her rise to literary fame and unconventional path…
Level C1HistoricalFamous Reviews, Selected and Edited with Introductory Notes by R. Brimley JohnsonExplore the evolution of literary criticism through influential reviews and essays from renowned journals, revealing sharp judgments and insightful praises that shaped the receptio…
Level B2AdventureFamous Islands and Memorable VoyagesIn 1431, a Venetian trading ship embarks on a perilous voyage from the bustling port of Venice to the treacherous northern seas.
Level C1HistoricalFamiliar Studies of Men and BooksExplore vivid portraits of remarkable figures across ages and cultures, where sharp insights and personal perspectives reveal the complex interplay of character, history, and liter…
Level C1HistoricalFamiliar Studies in HomerExplore the vibrant world of Homeric epics brought to life through archaeological discoveries that connect myth to history.
Level B2HistoricalFame and Fortune; or, The Progress of Richard HunterTwo determined boys escape their harsh street lives by securing a modest boarding-room and honest work, striving to rise above poverty through hard study, courage, and unexpected k…
Level B2AdventureFalling in with Fortune; Or, The Experiences of a Young SecretaryA determined young man, recently dismissed from his job, becomes the private secretary to a wealthy lady and faces challenges from her unscrupulous nephew.
Level C1HistoricalFallen FortunesAmid the thunder of battle at Ramillies, a young traveler and his servant witness the clash of armies and the rise and fall of fortunes, drawn into the sweep of war and the stirrin…
Level C1RomanceFair MargaretIn the turbulent spring of King Henry VII’s reign, political intrigue and royal ambitions intertwine as a mysterious Spanish cavalier with a secretive past navigates the shifting l…
Level B2HistoricalFacts you should know about the classicsExplore the origins and significance of literary masterpieces from ancient civilizations to Greece, uncovering the lives, themes, and lasting impact of the greatest writers over th…
Level B2AdventureFacing the German FoeTwo Boy Scouts, Harry and Dick, discuss the growing threat of war with Germany and how their training prepares them for more than just adventure.
Level C1HistoricalFables and Fabulists: Ancient and ModernExplore the rich tradition of fables as imaginative, moral tales where animals and objects speak and act with human insight, revealing timeless truths through brief, engaging stori…
Level C1HistoricalFabiola; Or, The Church of the CatacombsIn the shadowed catacombs of pagan Rome, a young virgin and steadfast heroes endure persecution for their faith, illuminating the early Church’s trials and triumphs with courage an…
Level B2HistoricalExtracts from Adam's Diary, translated from the original ms.Discover the humorous and curious thoughts of the first man as he navigates life in the Garden of Eden, bewildered by a new companion who names everything and disrupts his solitude…
Level C1HistoricalExiled for the Faith: A Tale of the Huguenot PersecutionAmid the opulent courts of Renaissance France, a young Scottish noble seeks fortune and patronage while navigating the perilous religious tensions of the Huguenot persecution.
Level C1HistoricalExcursions, and Poems: The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume 05 (of 20)Embark on reflective journeys through nature and society, tracing the vivid landscapes and thoughtful observations of a traveler who challenges conventions and finds profound meani…
Level C1HistoricalEvery Man His Own Poet; Or, The Inspired Singer's Recipe BookDive into a witty exploration of poetry as a craft, where inspiration meets science and trickery in the pursuit of verse.
Level C1RomanceEvelyn ByrdAmid the relentless grind of Civil War, a scholarly artillery captain confronts the harsh realities of battle and loss, as loyalty, destruction, and endurance intertwine on Virgini…
Level C1HistoricalEve: A NovelIn a remote Devonshire hunting lodge, a troubled man confronts a harsh visitor demanding the whereabouts of Eve, a vanished woman whose absence haunts the shadowed halls and stirs…
Level C1HistoricalEve's Diary, Part 3A young Eve delights in the vibrant beauty and creatures of her world, seeing wonder in every color and animal—even a towering brontosaurus she dreams to tame.
Level C1HistoricalEve's Diary, Part 2In a vivid diary, Eve explores her emotions, nature’s beauty, and the mysterious man who seems indifferent to her world, while she discovers the wondrous and dangerous element of f…
Level B2HistoricalEve's Diary, Part 1A newly created being explores a breathtaking, imperfect world, marveling at stars, moons, and strange creatures, while trying to make sense of her place in this grand experiment c…
Level B2HistoricalEve's Diary, CompleteA newly awakened Eve records her first days in a fresh, unfinished world filled with wonder—from lost moons to elusive stars—and her curious, cautious observations of a strange cre…
Level C1RomanceEvangeline: A Tale of AcadieIn the peaceful Acadian village of Grand-Pré, young Evangeline embodies hope and devotion amid idyllic farms and faithful hearts, but the shadows of fate loom over this tranquil la…
Level C1HistoricalEutropiusChart the rise and struggles of Rome from its legendary founding through wars, revolts, and political transformations up to the first civil war, guided by clear Latin text designed…
Level C1HistoricalEuphorion - Vol. II: Being Studies of the Antique and the Mediaeval in the RenaissanceExplore the intricate balance between realism and idealism in Renaissance portrait art, revealing how artists blend decorative beauty with faithful likeness to capture both the rea…