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 B2AdventureElsie's Young Folks in Peace and WarSet sail along the coast of Maine with Elsie and her family, uncovering thrilling tales of early American history, Revolutionary battles, and daring sea adventures that shaped a yo…
Level B2HistoricalElsie's Vacation and After EventsA family faces the bittersweet challenge of separation as young Maxie leaves home, while his sisters find comfort in sharing daily life through letters.
Level C1RomanceElsie's Kith and KinNewlyweds Zoe and Ned embrace the joys and challenges of married life on a sprawling plantation, finding love, companionship, and unexpected visitors to brighten their quiet days t…
Level B2HistoricalElsie's Journey on Inland WatersA family explores the dazzling exhibitions of a grand international fair, where young Elsie’s curiosity is sparked by a captivating painting of Joan of Arc.
Level B2HistoricalElsie's Friends at WoodburnOn a snowy Christmas Eve, friends gather at the grand Oaks estate, where family ties and festive spirits intertwine amid whispers of loss and new beginnings.
Level B2HistoricalElsie on the HudsonSet sail on the Hudson with Captain Raymond and his daughter Lucilla as they explore historic riverbanks aboard their charming yacht, the Dolphin, uncovering scenic beauty and fami…
Level C1HistoricalElsie at ViamedeAmid the tranquil beauty of Viamede, a family gathers to recount the stirring tale of Andrew Jackson’s relentless defense of New Orleans during the War of 1812, revealing courage,…
Level B2HistoricalElsie and the RaymondsIn a bustling city, compassionate siblings Lulu and Max encounter Susan, a desperate seamstress struggling to support her sick mother in a squalid alley.
Level B2HistoricalElsie DinsmoreIn a charming old-schoolroom overlooking blooming gardens, young Elsie Dinsmore strives to master her lessons amidst playful sibling antics and strict expectations, revealing her g…
Level C1HistoricalEllen WaltonIn post-Revolutionary Pittsburgh, Eliza Fleming’s trust in a charming suitor spirals into a web of deceit, shattered vows, and a dark quest for revenge—where love confronts betraya…
Level C1HistoricalEllen Terry and Her SistersStep into the captivating world of the theatre through the eyes of a young woman whose passion for the stage defies family disapproval and societal expectations, revealing the triu…
Level C1HistoricalEllen Duncan; And The Proctor's Daughter: The Works of William Carleton, Volume TwoIn a turbulent Clare county, Owen Duncan and his devoted wife Ellen struggle against poverty and injustice, clinging to hope and faith amidst threats to their humble home and posse…
Level C1RomanceElla Barnwell: A historical romance of border lifeAmid the untamed wilderness of early Kentucky, settlers carve out homes on the "dark and bloody ground," facing perilous frontier life and fierce conflicts.
Level C1HistoricalElkswatawaA vivid tale unfolds along the turbulent frontier, exploring the lives and struggles of Native American leaders striving to reclaim their heritage amid conflict and misunderstandin…
Level C1HistoricalElizabethan Drama and Its Mad Folk: The Harness Prize Essay for 1913Explore the portrayal of madness in Elizabethan and early Stuart drama, revealing how playwrights reflected and shaped contemporary views on mental illness through vivid, artful ch…
Level B2HistoricalElizabeth's CampaignAmid the upheaval of war, Sir Henry Chicksands grapples with the challenges of enforcing agricultural reforms on reluctant farmers, while his daughter Beryl fears for the delicate…
Level C1AdventureElissa; Or, The Doom of ZimbabweA diverse caravan journeys across harsh African landscapes to reach the mysterious ancient city of Zimboe, a Phœnician stronghold famed for its gold and surrounded by enigmatic rui…
Level C1HistoricalElinor Wyllys; Or, The Young Folk of Longbridge: A Tale. Volume 2After years apart, the young folk of Longbridge reunite, bringing together tales of love, travel, and new challenges across America, Mexico, and the West Indies.
Level C1HistoricalElinor Wyllys; Or, The Young Folk of Longbridge: A Tale. Volume 1Young Elinor Wyllys navigates the shifting fashions and social tides of Longbridge, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the joys and sorrows of youth in a changing world.
Level C2HistoricalElene; Judith; Athelstan, or the Fight at Brunanburh; Byrhtnoth, or the Fight at Maldon; and the Dream of the Rood: Anglo-Saxon PoemsDive into heroic tales of faith, battle, and vision where empresses seek the true cross, warriors clash in fierce historic fights, and a mystical cross reveals the story of redempt…
Level C1HistoricalElderflowersA seasoned doctor confronts the fragile beauty of life and grief within a stately home, seeking solace where medicine cannot reach.
Level C1HistoricalEl VerdugoUnder a moonlit Spanish sky, a young French officer stationed at the chateau de Menda grapples with suspicion and forbidden desire amid political unrest, as secret signals and hidd…
Level C1AdventureEl Dorado: An Adventure of the Scarlet PimpernelAmidst the turmoil of the French Revolution, a daring Englishman known as the Scarlet Pimpernel risks everything to rescue the innocent from the guillotine, defying a ruthless regi…
Level C1HistoricalEkkehard: A Tale of the Tenth Century. Vol. 2 (of 2)Amidst the aftermath of a brutal battle in the tenth century, monks and warriors grapple with loss, faith, and duty as they bury the fallen and face the uncertain peace that follow…
Level C1HistoricalEkkehard: A Tale of the Tenth Century. Vol. 1 (of 2)In the 10th century, a tale unfolds where history and poetry intertwine, revealing forgotten medieval splendor through the eyes of scholars and artists who bring ancient fragments…
Level C1HistoricalEirik the Red's SagaA warrior king's lineage unfolds through fierce battles, alliances, and voyages across Norway, Ireland, and Scotland, culminating in Eirik's exile and daring quest to explore unkno…
Level C1HistoricalEighteenth Century VignettesStep into early 18th-century London where wit, society, and intimate letters reveal the lives of Captain Steele and his wife, blending history with personal drama against the vibra…
Level C1HistoricalEgoists, A Book of Supermen: Stendhal, Baudelaire, Flaubert, Anatole France, Huysmans, Barrès, Nietzsche, Blake, Ibsen, Stirner, and Ernest HelloExplore the complex psyche and passionate life of Henry Beyle, known as Stendhal, whose sharp intellect and intense love affairs shaped his unique literary style and enduring influ…
Level C1HistoricalEgmontAmid the brewing revolt in the 16th-century Netherlands, Count Egmont, a celebrated general caught between loyalty and oppression, faces the harsh rule of the Spanish crown and the…
Level C1AdventureEdwy the Fair or the First Chronicle of Aescendune: A Tale of the Days of Saint DunstanIn a turbulent tenth-century England, the young King Edwy grapples with the powerful Church and its influential leaders, including the formidable monk Dunstan, as love and loyalty…
Level C2HistoricalEdward the SecondIn a kingdom torn by rivalry and loyalty, the favored Gaveston returns from exile to reignite fierce tensions between King Edward II and his defiant nobles.
Level C1HistoricalEdward Fane's Rosebud (From "Twice Told Tales")An aging nurse reflects on her lost youth and a broken romance with Edward Fane, set against the harsh realities of class and mortality in colonial times.
Level C1HistoricalEdward Barnett, a Neglected Child of South Carolina, Who Rose to Be a Peer of Great Britain,—and the Stormy Life of His Grandfather, Captain Williams: or, The Earl's Victims: with an Account of the Terrible End of the Proud Earl De Montford, the Lamentable Fate of the Victim of His Passion, and the Shadow's PunishmentIn a grand English manor, a proud Earl battles hidden enemies and simmering family tensions, as an aged steward defies his wrath to protect a wronged man whose fate intertwines wit…
Level C1AdventureEdmond DantèsEdmond Dantès, the legendary Count of Monte-Cristo, embarks on a thrilling new journey amid a violent Mediterranean storm and the upheaval of the 1848 French Revolution.
Level C1HistoricalEdina: A NovelIn a bleak Cornish mining village, the lives of miners, a dedicated doctor, and his charming nephew intertwine amid the hardships and hidden tensions of a close-knit community.
Level B2AdventureEdgar the Ready: A Tale of the Third Edward's ReignAmidst the brutal clashes of Edward III’s reign, a young warrior embarks on a perilous journey through wild lands and fierce battles, facing savage foes and daring exploits that wi…
Level C1MysteryEdgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a Sleep-WalkerIn the wild American frontier, a man haunted by the mysterious death of his friend embarks on a nocturnal journey filled with suspense and dark secrets, where sleepwalking and unta…
Level C1AdventureEben Holden: A Tale of the North CountryIn the rugged Adirondack wilderness, a small boy travels with Uncle Eb, a kind-hearted woodsman with wild stories of fearsome creatures, as they forge a life shaped by hardship, im…
Level C1RomanceEastern Shame GirlIn 17th-century Peking, a young scholar falls deeply for Tu Shih-niang, a captivating singing girl torn between a life of honor and the demands of her world.
Level C1HistoricalEarly Letters of George Wm. Curtis to John S. Dwight; Brook Farm and ConcordA young man immersed in the Transcendental movement attends the innovative Brook Farm school, balancing rigorous study with the natural beauty and reformist ideals of a utopian com…
Level C1HistoricalEarl Hubert's Daughter: The Polishing of the Pearl - A Tale of the 13th CenturyIn a turbulent 13th-century England ruled by superstition and politics, young Margaret, a noble Scottish princess raised amid royal intrigues, must navigate a world where faith, po…
Level B2HistoricalE. P. Roe: Reminiscences of his LifeJourney through the cherished childhood and family memories that shaped a beloved American author, exploring a picturesque valley home, playful adventures, and stories of Revolutio…
Level C1HistoricalDust: A NovelIn post-Waterloo England, amidst a society of bold youth and shifting class lines, Mrs.
Level B2AdventureDusky Dick: or, Old Toby Castor's great campaign: A story of the last Sioux outbreakIn the tense frontier wilderness, Dusky Dick, a mysterious and skilled wood-ranger marked by a haunting burn, arrives with urgent news of a brewing Sioux uprising.
Level C1AdventureDungeon Rock; or, the pirate's cave, at LynnA determined young settler, William Wallace, builds a solitary life by the sea, dedicating himself to aiding those in peril—until a violent storm brings unexpected visitors, includ…
Level C1HistoricalDulcie Carlyon: A novel. Volume 3 (of 3)In the rugged landscapes of Zululand, a relentless pursuit unfolds as Florian, driven by vengeance and grief, chases desperadoes through treacherous terrain, haunted by the memory…
Level C1RomanceDulcie Carlyon: A novel. Volume 2 (of 3)Amidst Scottish pines and shadowed turrets, Finella faces a tense farewell with her true love as jealous rivals and secret notes threaten to unravel their bond before departure.
Level B2RomanceDulcibel: A Tale of Old SalemIn a Puritan village torn by disputes and strict devotion, a spirited young man encounters Dulcibel, a feisty woman whose wild horse mirrors her untamed spirit—setting the stage fo…