Same here! I was OBSESSED with that game as a kid and took the manual with me to school every day for a couple of weeks. Developing custom maps actually got me into programming (setting up triggers, building maps, etc). I remember trying to storyboard my custom "campaign" during recess, and even went so far as recording voice prompts. So many memories!
Same. I took the manual to school for weeks so my friends and I could look at all the crazy Metzen illustrations.
Those illustrations and stories where the reason I bought SC.. Event though wc2 was just a polished dune clone
I still have the tech tree from Civ 2 saved in my bookshelf, along with the Caesar III manual...