As a sequential, type-A person I really like most of A Beka's products. The problem came in second grade when I discovered my children weren't going to be like me (when it came to learning anyway lol)! I have a child with learning disabilities, a child who can't sit still, and a child who needs LOTS of review and spiral teaching. It just wasn't working and learning was torture for them. So we switched and they loved school again. There was just way too much sitting, writing, and reading for them.
That being said, I will use their phonics program for our future children. It is excellent!
I agree with PPs about their History and Science. The views of history are... interesting, and we ARE conservative Christian so I didn't think it would be a problem. However primary sources don't support some of their views. Science was just way too much information, way too quickly.