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.
- 4,982
- books
Level C1HistoricalCicero: Letters to Atticus, Vol. 2 of 3Amid the collapse of the Roman Republic, a statesman navigates the turbulent power struggle between Pompey and Caesar, revealing political intrigue, shifting alliances, and the per…
Level C1HistoricalCicero: Letters to Atticus, Vol. 1 of 3Delve into the intimate correspondence revealing the political intrigues and personal struggles of a Roman statesman navigating power, exile, and the brewing conflict between Caesa…
Level C1HistoricalCicero's Brutus or History of Famous Orators; also His Orator, or Accomplished Speaker.Explore a masterful dialogue tracing the lives and speeches of Greece and Rome’s greatest orators, set against the backdrop of Roman history and eloquence.
Level C1HistoricalCiceroStep into the turbulent world of late Republican Rome, where Marcus Tullius Cicero rises from humble roots to shape politics, oratory, and philosophy.
Level B2HistoricalChronicles of the Schonberg-Cotta FamilyAmidst the stirring backdrop of the Reformation, a young girl chronicles her family's intimate ties to Martin Luther, revealing the struggles and nobility found not in castles or c…
Level C1RomanceChronicles of Dustypore: A Tale of Modern Anglo-Indian SocietyIn the harsh, unforgiving Sandy Tracts of British India, new colonial order clashes with fierce extremes of nature and culture, setting the stage for a gripping tale of power, soci…
Level C1RomanceChronicle of the CidAn epic tale of Ruy Diaz, the legendary Cid Campeador, whose valor and cunning unite Christian knights and Moorish kings in medieval Spain’s fierce battles and chivalric honor.
Level C1HistoricalChristopher Crayon's Recollections: The Life and Times of the late James Ewing Ritchie as told by himselfStep back to 1837 East Anglia, where political corruption, fierce elections, and colorful characters define a turbulent era.
Level B2HistoricalChristmas LightIn a humble Bethlehem garden, eight-year-old Naomi delights in the simple beauty of her home and the rich stories of her ancestors, setting the scene for a heartwarming journey thr…
Level C1HistoricalChristmas Eve and Christmas Day: Ten Christmas storiesAfter the Revolution, a Massachusetts family anxiously awaits the results of a state lottery promising land in Maine, unveiling hopes and struggles in a fledgling nation’s uncertai…
Level C2HistoricalChoyce Drollery: Songs and Sonnets: Being a Collection of Divers Excellent Pieces of Poetry, of Several Eminent Authors.Amidst the turmoil of the English Commonwealth, a rare collection of songs and sonnets offers a secret glimpse into royalist hopes and pastoral dreams, treasured and hunted in equa…
Level C1HistoricalChita: A Memory of Last IslandJourney through Louisiana’s mysterious bayous and shimmering sea-islands to discover a haunting archipelago where old legends stir beneath sun-drenched oaks and ghostly shores, wea…
Level C1RomanceChiquita, an American Novel: The Romance of a Ute Chief's DaughterBorn into a once-respected family shadowed by a reckless father's downfall, Jack Sheppard navigates the tensions of heritage, hardship, and hope in a New England valley where love…
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 5: Miscellaneous Later EssaysExplore the passionate defense of individual liberty against society’s constraints, reflecting on the evolution of freedom from John Stuart Mill’s era to modern England, questionin…
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 4: Essays Chiefly on the Science of LanguageExplore the origins and evolution of language through detailed lectures and essays on comparative philology, tracing ancient tongues and their connections across cultures.
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 3: Essays on Literature, Biography, and AntiquitiesExplore the rich history of German literature, from ancient epic poems and Gothic languages to the cultural ties that bind England and Germany.
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 1: Essays on the Science of ReligionExplore the origins of human thought and religion as they unfold through ancient languages and traditions, revealing timeless elements that shape belief and understanding across cu…
Level C1HistoricalChippings with a Chisel (From "Twice Told Tales")An elderly tombstone carver arrives on Martha’s Vineyard, seeking work among the island’s simple, long-lived inhabitants.
Level C1HistoricalChippinge BoroughAmid the turmoil of a dissolved Parliament and the fervor for the People’s Bill in 1831 London, young barrister Arthur Vaughan navigates a city brimming with hope, political intrig…
Level B2HistoricalChildren's Stories in American Literature, 1660-1860Journey back to 1661 as a missionary reads the Bible in the Mohegan language to captivated Native children, revealing the early efforts to blend cultures through faith and storytel…
Level B2HistoricalChildren of the Market PlaceBorn amid the turmoil of Waterloo, a young Englishman nurtured by his mother’s memory and raised amidst grand ideals must leave Oxford to claim an unexpected inheritance in America…
Level C1HistoricalChildren of destinyBeneath the golden harvest skies of Virginia, a young boy named Lewis navigates a world steeped in nature's beauty and human complexities, finding solace only in the companionship…
Level B2HistoricalChildren of South AmericaExplore the vast and vibrant continent of South America through the eyes of its children, from the towering Andes to the mighty Amazon, uncovering rich cultures, natural wonders, a…
Level B2HistoricalChildhoodAwakened on his tenth birthday by the quirky tutor Karl Ivanitch, a young boy navigates the bittersweet world of childhood, torn between annoyance and affection, bad dreams and bri…
Level B2HistoricalChild of the RegimentAmidst the chaos of Napoleon’s wars, a little girl orphaned in battle is taken in by a fierce French regiment, growing up with soldiers as her family and facing hardships on a peri…
Level C1AdventureChild of StormAmid the fierce rivalry between Zulu princes Cetewayo and Umbelazi, the battle for succession unfolds with bloodshed and honor, revealing a world of warrior valor, witchcraft, and…
Level C1HistoricalChicot the JesterIn the turbulent court of Henri III, a lavish wedding sets the stage for intrigue, rivalry, and the mischievous antics of Chicot, the royal jester who blurs the line between fool a…
Level B2AdventureChester Rand; or, The New Path to FortuneIn a small Pennsylvania village, hardworking Chester Rand struggles to support his widowed mother on a meager salary, facing the harsh realities of poverty and a stingy employer.
Level C1HistoricalCheap Jack ZitaIn a quaint cathedral town, a bold Cheap Jack sets up shop before the sacred Galilee porch, stirring scandal and curiosity among clergy, townsfolk, and youths alike, while a myster…
Level C2HistoricalChaucer and His TimesStep into the world of 14th-century England as the life and language of Geoffrey Chaucer unfold through detailed linguistic notes and historical insights, revealing the mysteries b…
Level C1HistoricalChaucer and His EnglandStep back into 14th-century England, where the vibrant world that shaped a literary genius unfolds in vivid detail.
Level C1HistoricalChaucerExplore the meticulous reconstruction of Geoffrey Chaucer's life through rare documents and poetic clues, revealing the challenges of piecing together the biography of England's fa…
Level B2HistoricalChatterbox Stories of Natural HistoryExplore the fascinating lives of animals from the majestic Golden Eagle to the playful American black bear, capturing their instincts, habitats, and tender bonds in vivid, engaging…
Level C1HistoricalChata and Chinita: A NovelA weary stranger arrives at the imposing Tres Hermanos hacienda seeking shelter, amid wary glances and rustic life in Mexico’s fertile Bajio region.
Level B2AdventureChasing an Iron Horse; Or, A Boy's Adventures in the Civil WarAmid the stormy backdrop of the Civil War, a daring band of Union soldiers plot a secret mission to capture a Confederate train in enemy territory.
Level C1HistoricalCharlotte Brontë and Her CircleExplore the intimate world of Charlotte Brontë through personal letters and rare insights into her family, friendships, and literary ambitions, revealing the struggles and inspirat…
Level C1AdventureCharlie to the RescueBorn with a fearless spirit and a passion to help others, young Charlie Brooke’s heroic journey begins with daring rescues that test his courage and quick wit—from extinguishing fl…
Level B2AdventureCharlie Codman's Cruise: A Story for BoysFourteen-year-old Charlie Codman struggles to help his family while dreaming of education, but a chance encounter with an eccentric miser sets him on an unexpected and challenging…
Level C1AdventureCharlie Bell, The Waif of Elm IslandAn English orphan, cast adrift and friendless, finds refuge on a rugged Maine island where danger and adventure lurk in the form of ruthless men posing as fishermen.
Level B2HistoricalCharley's Museum: A Story for Young PeopleA curious twelve-year-old boy receives a special attic museum filled with exotic shells and natural wonders from his uncle, inspiring him to explore the fascinating creatures behin…
Level C1AdventureCharles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 2Amid lively balls and high-stakes debts in a bustling Irish town, a spirited regiment navigates the perils of love, honor, and camaraderie.
Level C1HistoricalCharles Dickens as a ReaderExplore the fascinating journey of a beloved author as he transforms his written words into captivating live readings.
Level C1HistoricalCharles Dickens and other VictoriansStep into the shadowed halls where history’s greatest dramas unfolded, and meet the young author whose first published story stirred a wave of promise and pride.
Level C2HistoricalCharles Di Tocca: A TragedyAmidst the haunting ruins of Apollo's temple and the vibrant revelry of bacchanals, power, passion, and betrayal intertwine in a dramatic tale set within the castle of Charles di T…
Level C1HistoricalCharlemont; Or, The Pride of the Village. a Tale of KentuckyIn the untamed Kentucky frontier, a tale unfolds revealing the fierce justice and fragile trust among a hospitable yet vengeful community, where secrets and pride spark a domestic…
Level B2AdventureCharge! A Story of Briton and BoerAmidst a rugged frontier homestead, a sudden warning of mounted men sets a family on alert, blending the challenges of pioneering life with the looming threat of conflict.
Level C1HistoricalCharacteristics of Women: Moral, Poetical, and HistoricalExplore the rich tapestry of female intellect, passion, and history through vivid character studies that challenge stereotypes and celebrate the diverse virtues of women as seen in…
Level C1HistoricalChapters on Spanish LiteratureExplore the vibrant history and legends of Spain through lectures on iconic figures like the heroic Cid and the imaginative Don Quixote, revealing how national heroes reflect the s…