Century Past Free Online Library
Helping readers find books and media in the world’s largest free online library. Plus free magazines, newspapers, articles, and map collections. We comply with U.S. copyright laws.
Fiction Books
A huge library in genres like Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Sci-fi, Historical, Inspirational, Action, Fantasy, and more. Also World Literature, Poetry, Short Stories, and helpful reading guides.
Most links open books at Internet Archive, a free online library with millions of books and other items. Their books published before 1930 can be downloaded free. Borrow modern books with a free log-in at Internet Archive.
Audio Books, with public domain books. Listen online or download them to your device, free.
Begin at our Book Subjects directory (top of page), with Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Comics, Drama, or Poetry sections.
Nonfiction Books
Century Past provides links, by subject, to the 2 million nonfiction books at Internet Archive. We have over 100 subject-specific webpages, each with dozens of ‘topics’ that you can click to find book collections.
At Internet Archive, you can download books published before 1930, or ‘borrow’ modern books online, with a free log-in at Internet Archive.
Open Access. Modern textbooks, academic books, courses, etc. from instructors and educational publishers. Free online.
Audio Books, with public domain books. Listen online or download them to your device, free.
Use the Book Subjects directory at the top of the page. Or Search the site by clicking the magnifying glass at the top-right.
For tips on navigating Internet Archive collection pages, visit our FAQ section: How Do I Manage Large Collections in the Internet Archive?
Magazine Archive
Explore a vast collection of magazines, including current issues and archives from the U.S. and around the world. Discover titles no longer in publication, as well as unique, smaller online-only magazines. Start your search at Magazines in the Main Menu.
Part of the magazines are located at Internet Archive, and you may need a Free Log-in to read them.
Newspapers: Current & Vintage
Access hundreds of current newspapers and news publications, along with archives of historical newspapers. Nearly all are free and in English, featuring coverage from the U.S. and countries around the globe.
Begin at Newspapers in the Century Past main menu.
Some of the newspapers are at Internet Archive, and you may need a Free Log-in to read them.
Articles & Digital Collections
A library of more than 1,000 free online articles from magazines and newspapers, organized by subject. More than half the subjects are history-related.
Numerous collections of historical maps and vintage photos are also here. Start at Articles-Maps-Photos in the Main Menu.
The Great Lakes States Past & Present
Free books and articles for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio & Wisconsin, from earliest times to the present. Each state, and the Great Lakes region, has pages for over a dozen subjects. Historical maps too.
Start at the Great Lakes States directory.
Most of the books are located at Internet Archive, and you may need a Free Log-in to read them.
If you prefer physical to digital books, find your titles on this site, then check these online book retailers.
For more information about this site, see About Century Past.