We have used the SOTW activity books, mainly for the maps... and I also really like their guided outlining in the 4th volume.
We've gone off on tangents quite a bit throughout the series. Lately it's been the Russian Revolution, cryptography, WWII (and more cryptography!)... I think what I like best about SOTW is that on the topics that we're really not that into we can read the chapter, color the map, and get on with our lives... but when we hit something that piques our interest we can add in whatever seems appropriate, either from their recommended book list (in the activity books) or on our own.
