Does the Great Man approach to history still have use?

[Ahriman]

Regarding the use of this approach, I think its intuitive easiness and human interest factor would be of fair pedagogical use as a great way to learn about history at an introductory and/or casual level.  I wouldn't recommend it as the only way to think about history, but it seems a fun way to start and to maintain interest.

Perhaps start with looking at great figures, then look at social and economic forces, then go back to great figures.  It appeals to me more than just avoiding the individual narratives and talking about general trends and stuff.

Well sure it appeals to you more, because it's fictional. Fiction is, generally, more appealing than reality.