Dude, I think DS's textbook was going for personalities, but it really bugged him to see it refer to Yeltsin as "erratic and hard-drinking" and a German leader as "roly-poly". Personally, I like history in the context of a story or how it impacts a particular concept (like my current history of afternoon tea in England). Like you, DH is a STEM guy who always has a couple of history books going.
I wonder if all APUSH is taught the way yours was? Or was that a function of your teacher?
Bluemagic, DS has to decide if he wants to take US Hist in summer school, or hold out for AP or regular in the academic year. There are pros and cons to all. But he pretty much has to decide by November already, because that's when he registers for another activity he does in the summer. The pressure!