I read the entire original printed manual before starting my first non-demo game, but I'm weird that way.
(I actually
dislike manuals that say, "Don't read this yet! Play the tutorial first!")
I've also read the entire Gold printed manual, which is a
huge improvement over the original.
I do have two criticisms of Gold:
1) I don't think some of the changes to the Tutorial were a good idea, particularly the "missing" facilities on the homeworld.
2) I think the tone of the Gold Manual is overly "chatty" in spots.