Well, I've decided to go with both the Eggleston books for all 3 level 1 years!

For Level 1B (ds#2) we'll read all of A First Book in American History, which has 33 chapters.  This book presents events chronologically by focusing on famous people in those events.  In fact, the subtitle of the book is with special reference to the lives and deeds of great Americans. We'll read one chapter one day, and read a supplemental reading on the second day, mostly d'Aulaire books.  To be caught up, I'm skipping Columbus (since we covered it already), Jamestown, and Plymouth (since dad read all 3 kids the Landmark books on these subjects.)

For Level 1A (ds#1) we'll read A History of the United States and Its People: for the Use of Schools. (You could also use A Household History of the United States and Its People, which is the same text without the study questions at the end of each chapter, and without the summary timeline at the end of each section, though you can get those online.)  This is a 61 chapter book.  For year one of Level 1A, we would read through chapter 32, which is the end of the revolution.  Year two of Level 1A would be chapters 33 to 61, bringing us to the Gilded Age just before the turn of the 20th century.  Normally, I would break this up into 10/10/9 chapters over 3 terms, but since we are catching up, we are doing 12/12 with 5 double-chapters.  Again, we'll read this one day and supplemental reading, mostly Fritz books, on the second day.

Level 2 in Mater Amabilis moves to English History for 2 years.  I will likely substitute H. A. Guerber's The Story of the English for H. E. Marshall's An Island Story.  By the time we go back to US History at Level 3 and high school, I'll be using the two volume William Bennett series America: The Last Best Hope for grades 8 through 11.  During these level 2 years I expect to continue the Landmark Books, especially those covering the 20th century, so all of that history isn't put off completely until high school.

I hope it works out--let me know what you think if you try this schedule.  I'll post something regarding this suggestion on the MA Teacher Training Forum.