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 C1HistoricalA winter in retirementTwo sisters face a long, lonely winter at their stern aunt’s seaside home, where memories of childhood and the relentless sea challenge their spirits.
Level C1HistoricalA time of terrorIn a tense courtroom charged with treason, a journalist stands accused of plotting revolution through arms smuggling and sabotage, while his son quietly harbors a personal vendetta…
Level C1AdventureA spectre of powerIn the Cherokee town of Great Tellico, the arrival of a Choctaw chief and his enigmatic French interpreter stirs curiosity and political tension, unveiling a web of ambition and cu…
Level B1AdventureA sailor boy with DeweyA sixteen-year-old merchant’s son embarks on a perilous journey to the Philippines, navigating treacherous storms and a drunken captain as he explores America’s new Pacific territo…
Level C2RomanceA rogue's tragedyAmid the ethereal Alps, two lovers find their world transformed by a transcendent passion that blurs the line between dream and reality.
Level C1RomanceA prince of loversIn a fragmented land of two hundred kingdoms, a determined duke and his scheming chancellor plot a politically charged union between Princess Ruperta and Prince Ludwig, where pride…
Level A2HistoricalA poem on the earthquake at LisbonExplore the haunting aftermath of Lisbon's devastating earthquake through vivid poetic reflection, capturing the shock and profound impact on a city forever changed by nature's fur…
Level C1HistoricalA noble sacrificeAmid a fierce winter flood threatening his fragile bridge, a solitary boatman faces eerie warnings and village whispers of a mysterious castle curse, as nature’s fury and dark lege…
Level C1HistoricalA military interludeIn the bitter cold of Valley Forge, Sergeant Alva Jukes confronts the harsh realities of war, from suffering comrades to bitter resentment toward a neglectful Congress.
Level B2HistoricalA loyal lassAs war looms near the Niagara frontier in 1814, young Marianne Reyburn navigates danger and loyalty amidst shifting allegiances and whispered conflicts.
Level C1RomanceA lovers' taleIn a rugged land where the Mell river meets the sea, two brothers live under the shadow of their Viking father’s legacy—one steady and silent, the other a fierce, poetic soul explo…
Level B2HistoricalA little maid of PicardyIn war-torn Picardy, a young French-American girl named Lucie balances her dual heritage while cherishing her homeland and its simple joys, like garden blooms and friendship, as sh…
Level C1HistoricalA literary history of Rome in the Silver AgeExplore the rich literary landscape of Rome's Silver Age, tracing the national character and cultural achievements of Latin literature amid the empire's peak power, revealing the l…
Level C1HistoricalA history of criticism and literary taste in Europe, from the earliest texts to the present day. Volume 3 (of 3), Modern criticismExplore the evolution of literary criticism through centuries, focusing on the dense and transformative nineteenth century, as the author examines critical works with a scholar’s p…
Level C1HistoricalA history of criticism and literary taste in Europe, from the earliest texts to the present day. Volume 1 (of 3), Classical and mediæval criticismExplore the evolution of literary criticism from ancient Greece to the medieval era, tracing the ideas and figures that shaped the art of judging authors and texts.
Level C1HistoricalA history of criticism and literary taste in Europe from the earliest texts to the present day. Volume 2 (of 3), From the Renaissance to the decline of eighteenth century orthodoxyExplore the rich evolution of European literary criticism from the Renaissance through the eighteenth century, spotlighting the vibrant debate between English, French, and German c…
Level C1HistoricalA history of Italian literatureExplore the rich tapestry of Italian literature, tracing its deep classical roots and profound influence on European culture, while uncovering the complexities of its development t…
Level C1HistoricalA history of English literatureExplore the rich origins and evolution of English literature from its mysterious beginnings through the Old English period, tracing historical events and literary milestones that s…
Level B2RomanceA heroine of 1812Amid the bustling streets of Baltimore in 1812, young Lettice Hopkins anxiously awaits news of her uncle’s ship, threatened by British capture during wartime.
Level B2AdventureA gentle pioneerIn the harsh winds of a March night, a young girl prepares to leave her childhood home on a pioneering journey westward, facing separation and hardship with hope for reunion and a…
Level B2AdventureA frontier knightTorn between the steady comforts of home and the wild unknown, a young woman chooses to join her sister and a close companion on a daring journey to the Texan frontier, where adven…
Level C1HistoricalA few days in Athens: being the translation of a Greek manuscript discovered in HerculaneumIn turbulent Athens, young Theon grapples with the clash between Stoic and Epicurean philosophies as he confronts dark secrets and moral decay beneath the city's ancient wisdom.
Level B2HistoricalA daughter of strifeIn 1710 London, Anne Champion struggles as a straw-plaiter, waiting anxiously for news from her beloved surgeon at war.
Level C1RomanceA crown of strawIn a shadowy room in Stuttgart, three men prepare a loaded pistol, setting the stage for a gripping tale of romance entwined with a dramatized, tragic event in contemporary history…
Level C1FantasyA brother to dragons, and other old-time talesIn 1586, amidst family feuds and whispered hauntings, a skeptical man confronts a fiery ghost said to inhabit a castle’s blue chamber, challenging beliefs and stirring tensions bet…
Level C1HistoricalA blighted lifeA noblewoman battles relentless persecution and injustice as she exposes the cruel misuse of lunacy laws that allow her husband to imprison her in a madhouse.
Level C1HistoricalA battle pieceAmid the tense night before the Battle of Long Island, weary Continental soldiers grapple with impatience and uncertainty under General Putnam's watchful eye, while Washington stra…
Level C1HistoricalA bad pennyIn a fading New England seaboard town, a spirited boy destined for the ministry clashes with his strict Puritan aunt while dreaming of the sea and adventure beyond his rigid upbrin…
Level C1AdventureA Young Macedonian in the Army of Alexander the GreatAt the ancient Olympic Games, young Charidemus, crowned champion runner, faces a shocking challenge to his Greek identity that threatens his honor and place in society.
Level B2AdventureA Young HeroAmid rising tensions and looming war, young Phil dreams of becoming a soldier like his father but struggles with lessons and fears for his family's safety.
Level B2HistoricalA Word, Only a Word — CompleteIn the shadowed Black Forest, two children chase the power of a single, magical word said to shape the world itself.
Level C1HistoricalA Woman of the Ice AgeAmid the vast Ice Age, two prehistoric souls, Lhatto and Ogga, defy the stereotype of primitive man, embodying beauty, love, and complex emotion in a harsh, evolving world where su…
Level C1HistoricalA Woman of YesterdayIn a remote Vermont village, Anna Mallison faces a turning point as she prepares to join her father's church, confronting the weight of her past and the promise of a new, disciplin…
Level C1HistoricalA Woman of ThirtyIn Napoleonic Paris, a young woman and her aging father navigate a world of social intrigue and impending historical upheaval.
Level B2HistoricalA Warwickshire Lad: The Story of the Boyhood of William ShakespeareA young William Shakespeare faces eerie village superstitions and childhood fears in the dusk of Warwickshire, where witches' spells and ghostly shadows blur the line between imagi…
Level C1RomanceA War-Time Wooing: A StoryAmid the turmoil of war, a young woman mourning her brother’s death finds unexpected connection and hope through a heartfelt correspondence with a gallant officer she has never met…
Level B1HistoricalA Walk and a Drive.A curious little girl named Rosy explores a sunlit French villa and its surroundings, discovering fresh milk, grapevines, and the mystery of missing birds.
Level B2HistoricalA Virginia cavalierIn 1746 Virginia’s peaceful countryside, a young George Washington sharpens his woodsman skills, embodying strength and honor amid the natural beauty and emerging tensions of colon…
Level B2AdventureA Virginia ScoutAmid the lush wilderness of 1774 Virginia, a determined scout carries urgent messages as tensions ignite between settlers and Native tribes.
Level B2HistoricalA Victorious UnionAmid the stirring years of the Civil War, a patriotic naval hero fights not for glory but to preserve the Union and the ideals it stands for, embodying courage and unselfish devoti…
Level C1AdventureA Victor of SalamisIn the midst of the fierce Isthmian Games, Glaucon, a disinherited Athenian champion, defies expectations and bitter rivalries to claim victory against Sparta's mightiest athlete,…
Level C2HistoricalA Very Pleasaunt & Fruitful Diologe Called the EpicureA thoughtful dialogue explores the true treasures of the mind—learning, wisdom, and virtue—beyond worldly riches and fame.
Level B2HistoricalA Versailles Christmas-TideIn a festive home awaiting their son's return from school in Versailles, parents face a sudden crisis when he falls ill with scarlet fever abroad.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in the South SeasAmidst fierce rivalries on a remote South Sea island, American midshipmen navigate political intrigue and native customs as they witness a high chief’s dramatic return from exile,…
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in the PhilippinesTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in JapanTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in ChinaTwo young U.
Level C1HistoricalA Twentieth Century IdealistIn a world where ideals shape reality, a reflective doctor and a young athlete explore the depths beneath ordinary life, unveiling the compelling tension between practical ambition…