If you have spent any time browsing high school history options from Master Books, you have probably landed on both of these titles: Stobaugh American History and One Nation Under God. They are both excellent. They both teach American history from a biblical worldview. And parents ask us constantly: what is the difference, and which one should we choose?
Meet the Authors
These two high school American history courses feel different because they were written by two very different people with two very different visions for how history should be taught.
James Stobaugh
James Stobaugh spent his career teaching students to think like historians. In the preface to his course, he writes that history is never finished: new sources are discovered, old ones are reexamined, and theories change with each generation. His goal is to put students in the middle of that process.
He opens his course with a personal story. His great-great-great grandfather was a slave owner in Tennessee. Stobaugh grew up shaped by that history. But when he came to faith in Christ as a high school senior, something changed. He eventually married a woman from New Jersey and adopted three African American children. He writes: "Quite literally, my history was rewritten." That conviction, that Christ changes not just a person's future but their past, runs through everything he teaches.
Angela O'Dell
Angela O'Dell has spent years writing history for younger students through the America's Story series. One Nation Under God is her first high school course, and she approached it with a specific student in mind. In a recent interview, she described this generation of homeschooled students as a "reset generation," young people she believes are being prepared to make a real difference in the world. She said: "God did not make a mistake putting any of us here at this time in history. And that like Esther, we are here for such a time as this."
Her time researching primary sources for One Nation Under God course left a deep impression on her. She describes stopping repeatedly while writing to pray for the country, moved by how profoundly different the culture was during the colonial and revolutionary periods.
What Are the Main Differences Between Stobaugh American History and One Nation Under God?
Both courses cover US History from a biblical worldview, but they take very different approaches to how that history is taught and how students engage with it.
- Overall approach: Stobaugh follows a classical, traditional format using philosophical and popular ideas as a guide through history. One Nation Under God takes a narrative approach, tracing themes of division and unity from Europe through American settlement and beyond.
- Worldview integration: In Stobaugh, biblical worldview topics arise naturally as the content calls for them. In One Nation Under God, biblical worldview analysis is built into every weekly lesson as a consistent, intentional feature.
- Special features: Stobaugh highlights original documents and quotes, with stories added for interest and connection. One Nation Under God expands understanding through special studies in geography, biography, art, and media.
- Teacher Guide activities: Stobaugh uses short-answer worksheets designed to encourage deeper thought and build analysis skills. One Nation Under God offers a wider variety: vocabulary study, key connections, map studies, analysis, and optional extension projects.
- Assessment: Stobaugh measures mastery through quarterly exams. One Nation Under God uses a semester exam and a final exam.
A Look Inside the Courses
Stobaugh American History opens each chapter by asking students to weigh competing theories rather than accept a single version of events. In the chapter on Jacksonian Democracy, for example, students encounter historians who disagree sharply: Was Jackson a champion of the people or a despot who introduced corruption into American politics? Was his era a genuine democratic revolution, or did voters simply choose along ethnic lines? Students examine the evidence and draw their own conclusions. As Stobaugh writes in his preface: "American History invites students to be historians."
One Nation Under God takes a different opening posture. The course begins not with exploration, but with the question of why history matters at all. O'Dell writes in her introduction: "True history is never cold or detached; it is alive with the heartbeat of those who lived it." That conviction shapes every lesson, from the chain-link cultural analysis woven into each week to the Greatest Takeaways that close every unit.
What Parents Are Saying
About Stobaugh American History:
"My son really liked this curriculum and would share bits of it every day. It is a thought-provoking curriculum."
—Julie
"My son began the year learning about various worldviews before diving into the content of the book. It helped him solidify his faith and understand why some people in history acted the way they did."
— Beth
"He even reads it in his spare time!"
— Danielle
About One Nation Under God:
"Her love of God, the students she writes for, and history really shine through and make the student and parent feel like she is invested in their growth spiritually, emotionally, and academically."
— Santina
"It gave us some really good conversations at home, especially when discussing early American documents and historical turning points."
— Kathleen C.
"I especially appreciate that this text covers American history through 2025."
— Momof3girls
Which Course Is Right for Your Student?
If your student thrives with structured analysis and primary sources, Stobaugh is a strong fit. If they connect better with story-driven learning and varied activities, One Nation Under God is the better choice.
Both courses are open and go, full high school credit, and built on the belief that God's hand is woven through the story of America. You cannot go wrong with either one. The question is simply which approach fits the student sitting at your table.
