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 C1AdventureAladdin O'BrienA daring boy with a knack for mischief takes a cautious girl on a forbidden river adventure, where innocence and rebellion collide amid looming consequences and a world both enchan…
Level C1HistoricalAkbar: An Eastern RomanceAmid exile and hardship, a young prince is born destined to become Akbar, the greatest ruler of Hindustan.
Level B2AdventureAir Service boys flying for FranceTwo friends fueled by passion and patriotism train as aviators during World War I, aiming to become heroes in the skies.
Level B2MysteryAir Service Boys over the Atlantic; Or, The Longest Flight on RecordTwo young American aviators, skilled and daring, take to the skies during the final year of World War I, facing deadly missions, enemy pilots, and harrowing battles as they strive…
Level B2AdventureAir Service Boys in the Big Battle; Or, Silencing the Big GunsTwo young aviators, freshly honored for daring feats over enemy lines, await new orders near Paris, eager to return to the skies.
Level B2AdventureAir Service Boys Over the Rhine; Or, Fighting Above the CloudsAmid the perilous skies over wartime France, young aviators Tom and Jack await the return of their squadron after a daring night raid on German lines, facing the chilling reality o…
Level B2AdventureAir Service Boys Over the Enemy's Lines; Or, The German Spy's SecretTwo young American aviators stationed in war-torn France confront the shadowy threat of a cunning German spy lurking near their aviation camp, as they navigate the dangers and unce…
Level B2AdventureAir Service Boys Flying for Victory; Or, Bombing the Last German StrongholdTwo daring young American pilots take to the skies over the Argonne Forest in 1918, facing relentless German forces and deadly battles to turn the tide in the final push of World W…
Level C1HistoricalAilsa Paige: A NovelA young man with a notorious past boldly confronts Colonel Arran in a tense drawing-room showdown, unraveling a story woven with scandal, defiance, and the shadows of war.
Level C1HistoricalAids to Reflection; and, The Confessions of an Inquiring SpiritExplore deep reflections on faith, morality, and reason as a Christian thinker challenges prevailing doubts and misconceptions, guiding readers toward a more thoughtful understandi…
Level C1AdventureAhead of the Show; Or, The Adventures of Al Allston, Advance AgentWhen a theater company’s advance agent fails, a determined young man from Boomville seizes the chance to prove himself and save the show—can he outwit the rival troupe and win his…
Level B2AdventureAhead of the ArmyAs distant cannon fire signals the outbreak of war along the Rio Grande, a young lieutenant and his fellow officers brace for the challenges ahead in a conflict that will shape the…
Level C1HistoricalAgnes of SorrentoIn sunlit Sorrento, a young woman’s story unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Italian landscapes and spiritual struggles, weaving dreams and history into a vivid portrait of fa…
Level C1HistoricalAgnes Sorel: A NovelStep back into fifteenth-century Paris, where ancient customs and fierce passions shape the lives of kings and commoners alike.
Level C1HistoricalAgincourt: A Romance: The Works of G. P. R. James, Volume XXUnder a moonless sky, a lone rider navigates shadowed Hampshire roads, seeking shelter and companionship in a land where loyalty and deception entwine.
Level C1HistoricalAgesilausA young Spartan king faces a Persian threat by boldly taking the fight to Asia, commanding a small but determined force to defend Greek independence and challenge the mighty empire…
Level B2HistoricalAfter TapsIn a Baltimore apartment during the Civil War, a spirited young woman dreams of joining the Union troops, while a patriotic standard bearer returns home bearing hopes and challenge…
Level C1AdventureAfloat in the Forest; Or, A Voyage among the Tree-TopsTwo brothers, stripped of their ancestral estate by a cunning lawyer, vow to rebuild their fortunes from scratch.
Level C1AdventureAffair in ArabyIn the heart of Arabia, alliances shift like desert sands as a daring American joins a secret mission to crown Feisul, a noble claimant to the Arab throne, amidst political intrigu…
Level B2AdventureAfar in the ForestIn a wild, untamed forest on the edge of civilization, a determined family braves harsh wilderness and the threat of hostile forces to carve out a new home.
Level C1HistoricalAdventures of the Comte de la Muette during the Reign of TerrorIn the heart of revolutionary Paris, a royalist lodges with a hedonistic deputy whose shifting loyalties and turbulent city threaten to ignite deadly conspiracies.
Level C1AdventureAdventures of an Aide-de-Camp; or, A Campaign in Calabria, Volume 3 (of 3)Trapped in a grim prison beneath the Calabrian mountains, a mysterious captive known as Osman Carora, a jovial yet savage monk, plots a daring escape with the help of unlikely alli…
Level C1AdventureAdventures of an Aide-de-Camp; or, A Campaign in Calabria, Volume 2 (of 3)Journey through the rugged Calabrian wilderness with a daring aide-de-camp, as he navigates treacherous mountain paths, encounters wild beasts, and unravels Italian intrigues in a…
Level C1RomanceAdventures of an Aide-de-Camp; or, A Campaign in Calabria, Volume 1 (of 3)An aide-de-camp embarks on a daring campaign through the turbulent Calabrias, navigating fierce battles, political intrigue, and romantic entanglements amidst the backdrop of Briti…
Level C1AdventureAdventures of Hans Sterk: The South African Hunter and PioneerA daring group of South African Boers ventures deep into untamed wilderness, facing fierce battles and deadly predators while seeking fortune and freedom.
Level C1AdventureAdventures in the Far WestA group of hunters ventures into the untamed American West, braving wild beasts, scarce resources, and mysterious cries in the night as they navigate a perilous wilderness teeming…
Level C1HistoricalAdventures in the Arts: Informal Chapters on Painters, Vaudeville, and PoetsExplore the artist's struggle to capture life's chaos and transform it into order, while facing the relentless presence of criticism as both challenge and inspiration in the creati…
Level C1AdventureAdventures in Southern Seas: A Tale of the Sixteenth CenturyIn the early 17th century, Dutch explorers chart unknown southern seas and encounter mysterious islands, fierce tribes, and strange creatures, weaving a gripping tale of discovery…
Level C1HistoricalAdventures in CriticismExplore a thoughtful collection of critical essays that delve into the meticulous scholarship behind literary classics, championing the rise of authoritative editions and the pursu…
Level B2AdventureAdventures in AlaskaVenture into the rugged wilderness of Alaska during the intense Nome gold rush, where a missionary lives alongside miners, braves harsh conditions, and hunts to survive.
Level C1HistoricalAdventures Among BooksStep into the life of a lifelong booklover who reflects on the enchantments, lessons, and quiet consolations found within pages—from fairy tales and historic chapbooks to poetical…
Level B2AdventureAdrift in the Wilds; Or, The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked BoysTwo sixteen-year-old cousins, Elwood and Howard, reunite for a summer journey from Brooklyn to their families in booming California, accompanied by their loyal guardian Tim O'Roone…
Level B2HistoricalAdrift in New York: Tom and Florence Braving the WorldIn a wealthy New York household haunted by the mysterious disappearance of a young heir, family tensions rise as hope and suspicion collide.
Level C1HistoricalAdonijah: A Tale of the Jewish Dispersion.In the shadow of Nero’s Rome, a Jewish man wrestles with faith and forbidden love amidst the turmoil of persecution and the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
Level C1HistoricalAdieuIn the sweltering summer of 1819, a weary deputy and a hardened soldier navigate tangled forests and stubble fields, their friendship tested by a lost hunt and the looming storm—an…
Level C1HistoricalAdam Hepburn's Vow: A Tale of Kirk and CovenantIn 1638 Scotland, a devoted minister and his children journey to Edinburgh amid growing tensions as the nation prepares to take a solemn stand against oppression.
Level C1RomanceAdam BedeIn a bustling 18th-century workshop, strong-willed Adam Bede and his gentle brother Seth navigate the challenges of craft, faith, and friendship, setting the stage for a stirring t…
Level C1HistoricalActon's Feud: A Public School StoryIn a school divided by tradition and change, a fierce football rivalry unfolds as Acton, a fiery and brilliant player, clashes with skilled opponents in a battle that tests loyalty…
Level C1AdventureAcross the Spanish Main: A Tale of the Sea in the Days of Queen BessTwo young English gentlemen plan a daring voyage to the Spanish Main, hoping to capture treasure-laden galleons and restore their fortunes amid the brewing conflict with Spain.
Level C1RomanceAcross the Salt Seas: A Romance of the War of SuccessionA mysterious, dying Englishman aboard a ship bound for Cadiz haunts the crew with wild tales and haunting visions, setting the stage for a gripping tale of sea-bound adventure and…
Level B2AdventureAcross the Cameroons: A Story of War and AdventureTwo boys from different worlds forge a deep friendship amid country shoots and woodland adventures, only to face tension when a proud German officer arrives at their estate.
Level B2AdventureAcross TexasWhen Herbert Watrous’s health falters, his friend Nick Ribsam’s wholesome country life offers hope and healing.
Level B2HistoricalAchillesAs the Greeks unite under Agamemnon to avenge the abduction of Helen by Paris, tensions ignite between the proud warrior Achilles and the king, setting the stage for a decade-long…
Level C1HistoricalAbraham Lincoln: A PlayStep into the political turmoil of a nation on the brink of division as a visionary leader grapples with war, loyalty, and the fight to preserve unity.
Level C1HistoricalAboriginal American AuthorsExplore the rich literary traditions of Native American cultures through vivid storytelling, ancient manuscripts, and poetic expressions that challenge misconceptions and reveal a…
Level C1HistoricalAbbotsfordJourney to the heart of the Scottish Borders where the legendary Sir Walter Scott’s life, legacy, and love for the land intertwine with the wild beauty of the Tweed valley and the…
Level C1HistoricalAaron the Jew: A NovelIn 1871 Portsmouth, a dedicated but impoverished doctor struggles to care for his patients amid harsh conditions and personal sacrifice.
Level B2AdventureAaron in the WildwoodsA determined boy confined to crutches defies expectations by mastering a spirited Gray Pony that obeys no one but him, inspiring awe and mystery across the wild Georgia landscape.