I do miss the manuals.
One of the best manuals I ever had was of Carrier Command for the ST. It explained everything in the game, every little button and icon, every action. They just don't make them like that anymore.
Another manual that I was impressed with was Civilization II(don't remember which version of all, I had them all) which had a very book like manual.
KKND had a good manual if nothing else for the humour in it
When I get a game with a good manual in it I feel I am getting something good for my money. Even if later I do not even touch the game (Hearts Of Iron).
Hmm, I also remember the manual for F16 Combat Pilot (ST). What a game, what a sim! Hmm, what a game for abandonia!