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 C1HistoricalCount Alarcos; a TragedyIn 13th-century Castille, Count Alarcos returns from exile to a court alive with intrigue and tension, where love and power collide amid looming threats and fierce rivalries.
Level C1RomanceCorse de Leon; or, The Brigand: A Romance. Volume 1 (of 2)In the lush valleys of Savoy, a foreboding gloom shadows a life of brightness and hope, signaling trials ahead for a dauntless spirit.
Level C1HistoricalCorporal Sam and Other StoriesAmid the smoke and thunder of a fierce siege, Sergeant Wilkes and Corporal Sam Vicary confront the brutal realities of war, from the battlefield to the vulnerable lives behind enem…
Level B2AdventureCormorant Crag: A Tale of the Smuggling DaysA spirited boy defies his strict doctor father to embrace a wild coastal life filled with cliff-climbing, fishing, and adventure.
Level C1HistoricalCorinne; or, ItalyA gifted woman nurtured by an intellectual family navigates society’s expectations and personal ambitions amid the tumult of the French Revolution.
Level C1HistoricalCorianton: A Nephite StoryA defiant prisoner, bound and guarded, is brought to the free city of Zarahemla to face trial for challenging the faith and authority of its leaders.
Level C1HistoricalContemporary Russian NovelistsExplore the rise of modern Russian literature as a vibrant protest against tradition, shaped by history, autocracy, and the clash between old beliefs and European ideas.
Level C1HistoricalContemporary American Novelists (1900-1920)Explore the evolution of the American novel from 1900 to 1920 as it grapples with the rise of naturalism and the fading charm of local color, revealing how authors navigate shiftin…
Level C1HistoricalConstance TrescotA young man seeks approval to marry into a wealthy family, navigating the sharp wit and complex expectations of his future uncle-in-law.
Level C1HistoricalConstance Sherwood: An Autobiography of the Sixteenth CenturyBorn into a tranquil English estate during turbulent times, a young woman reflects on faith, family, and the trials that shape her life amid the religious conflicts of the sixteent…
Level C1HistoricalConspiracy of Catiline and the Jurgurthine WarPolitical ambition and moral decay collide as Catiline plots to overthrow Rome's government, rallying conspirators amid social unrest and elite power struggles.
Level C1HistoricalConnecticut Wide-Awake SongsterStep into a pivotal moment in American history as political leaders lay out the Republican Party’s platform, defending the Union, states' rights, and freedom while condemning corru…
Level B2AdventureConnecticut Boys in the Western Reserve: A Tale of the Moravian MassacreTwo young emigrants seek shelter from a storm at a closed tavern in the Western Reserve, only to encounter uneasy strangers and the shadow of recent violence.
Level C1HistoricalConfessions of an EtonianA young boy faces the wrenching farewell to childhood as he embarks on his daunting journey at Eton, confronting harsh discipline, bullying, and the stark realities of an elite sch…
Level C1MysteryConfessions of a ThugIn the shadowy jungles of India, a hidden network of Thugs thrives, committing unspeakable crimes while eluding detection.
Level B2AdventureCondemned as a Nihilist: A Story of Escape from SiberiaA young boy faces an unexpected departure to Russia, where he must navigate language barriers and a strange land under the shadow of Siberian prisons.
Level C2HistoricalConcerning the bi-literal cypher of Francis Bacon discovered in his worksUncover secret histories hidden within Francis Bacon's works through a complex bi-literal cipher, revealing forbidden truths about Queen Elizabeth and coded dramas that challenge a…
Level C1AdventureConcerning "Bully" Hayes: From "The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton, and Other Stories" - 1902Step into the wild Pacific of the 1860s, where "Bully" Hayes, a daring and notorious captain, navigates treacherous waters, fierce rivalries, and a shadowy trade, all while battlin…
Level C2HistoricalComplete Prose Works: Specimen Days and Collect, November Boughs and Goodbye My FancyExperience vivid reflections on war, nature, and American life through personal anecdotes, battlefield scenes, and tranquil landscapes that capture the spirit of a nation in transf…
Level C1HistoricalCompanionable BooksExplore the enduring power of books that nourish the soul and inspire the imagination, as this reflective journey uncovers timeless works whose beauty and wisdom become cherished c…
Level B2HistoricalCommodore JunkIn a tense coastal drama, a fiery woman confronts Captain Armstrong over a broken promise and a looming marriage, igniting fierce passions and dangerous secrets in a smuggling port…
Level C1HistoricalComing Home: 1916Amid the chaos of war-torn France, a wounded cavalry lieutenant clings to hope for news of his family trapped behind enemy lines.
Level C1HistoricalCome Rack! Come Rope!Amid the frostbitten hills of 16th-century Derbyshire, a young nobleman struggles with the heavy burdens of loyalty, faith, and forbidden love during a time of relentless persecuti…
Level C1RomanceColville of the Guards, Volume 3 (of 3)Rescued from peril and trapped aboard a fog-shrouded yacht, Ellinor confronts the sinister Sir Redmond Sleath and his dubious companions, igniting a tense struggle for survival ami…
Level C1HistoricalColville of the Guards, Volume 2 (of 3)Haunted by betrayal and shattered hopes, Robert abandons his medical studies to join the Guards, seeking a new life far from home and the painful memories that bind him.
Level C1RomanceColville of the Guards, Volume 1 (of 3)In a secluded Scottish home, two orphaned sisters navigate loss, love, and duty while managing their modest estate and caring for those around them.
Level B2MysteryColonel Thorndyke's SecretA valuable diamond bracelet stolen from a Hindu temple brings danger and mystery to the Thorndyke family in 18th century England, where highwaymen roam and dark forces pursue a dea…
Level B2AdventureColonel Crockett, the Texan trailerIn the wilds of Texas, Colonel Crockett embarks on a thrilling bear hunt amid vast landscapes teeming with fierce animals and dangers, from majestic buffalo to hostile tribes.
Level C1HistoricalColonel ChabertA mysterious man in tattered uniform reappears in a bustling Paris law office, stirring gossip among unruly clerks and challenging the order restored by Louis XVIII.
Level C1HistoricalColombaAn English officer and his skeptical daughter arrive in Marseilles, where tales of Corsican vendettas and wild hunting adventures spark a daring plan to explore the island’s fierce…
Level C1HistoricalColin Clink, Volume 2 (of 3)In a tense household drama, young Fanny faces suspicion and harsh judgment as she guards a secret that threatens her place and dignity.
Level C1HistoricalColinA young farmhand with a mysterious power over animals catches Queen Elizabeth’s eye, but a midnight visitor offers him a dark bargain promising wealth and honor for generations—if…
Level C2HistoricalCodex Junius 11Angelic hosts once basking in celestial bliss face rebellion and exile, as divine justice casts down prideful spirits into eternal torment.
Level C1FantasyCliges: A RomanceIn a world where chivalry and love intertwine, a noble youth of Greek and Arthurian lineage embarks on a journey of valor and passion, navigating intricate emotions and courtly int…
Level C1HistoricalCleopatra — CompleteIn the heart of ancient Alexandria, the enigmatic Queen Cleopatra navigates love, power, and political intrigue, shaping the fate of empires while revealing the complexities behind…
Level C1HistoricalCleopatraIn the shadowy courts of Alexandria, a young Cleopatra returns from exile, wielding intelligence, charm, and ambition to captivate emperors and steer the fate of empires.
Level C1AdventureCleopatraAmid the ancient mysteries of Egypt, a secret manuscript reveals a forgotten tale of political intrigue, divine faith, and royal destiny, centered on Harmachis, a patriot caught in…
Level C1AdventureClementinaIn 1719 Italy, a sharp-witted traveler with a lame horse encounters a fragile, determined lady stranded without a postillion, both desperate to reach Bologna.
Level C2HistoricalClassical Enigmas, Adapted to Every Month in the Year: Composed from the English and Roman Histories, Heathen Mythology and Names of Famous Writers: Meant to Amuse Youths of All Ages, and at the Same Time Exert Their Memories, by Calling to Mind What They Have Read at Different TimesChallenge your memory and wit with enigmas drawn from English and Roman histories, mythology, and famous writers, each tailored to a different month of the year to entertain and ed…
Level C1HistoricalClassic French Course in EnglishExplore the brilliance of French literature through carefully chosen excerpts and insightful commentary, revealing its unmatched wit, clarity, and vivacity across philosophy, comed…
Level C1RomanceClash of Arms: A RomanceAiling Philip Vause eagerly awaits his estranged brother Andrew, a rugged soldier known for brawls and bravado, who promises a timely visit after an urgent royal audience—bringing…
Level C1HistoricalClarissa DormerIn a West India plantation, a spoiled young heiress reigns with unchecked will, defying all order until a determined English governess arrives to tame her wild spirit and teach her…
Level C1HistoricalClarenceIn a San Francisco charged with secessionist tensions, Clarence Brant navigates a lonely marriage overshadowed by his wife’s fierce Southern loyalties and mounting political divide…
Level C1HistoricalClare Avery: A Story of the Spanish ArmadaIn a bitter March of 16th-century England, young Clare Avery’s world unfolds amid political unrest and looming threats from the Spanish Armada, where superstition, shifting allianc…
Level C1HistoricalCitt and Bumpkin (1680)In a tense 1680 England gripped by fear of a Catholic conspiracy, political factions clash over the future of the monarchy and Parliament’s power.
Level C1HistoricalCitation and Examination of William Shakspeare, Euseby Treen, Joseph Carnaby, and Silas Gough, ClerkStep into the turbulent world of 16th-century England, where a young William Shakespeare faces accusations of deer-stealing before Sir Thomas Lucy, revealing the ambitions and stru…
Level C1HistoricalCinq-MarsIn a turbulent era marked by political intrigue, a young nobleman navigates the dangerous conspiracies surrounding Louis XIII’s reign, challenging the formidable Cardinal Richelieu…
Level C1HistoricalCicero: Letters to Atticus, Vol. 3 of 3Amid Caesar’s rise and Rome’s turmoil, a statesman retreats into grief, friendship, and prolific writing, revealing the fragile hopes and fears of a fading Republic.