I know how to read, SH, I do it for a living.
I’ve played a lot of games, and since I’d played Axis and Allies before, I didn’t read the rules at all. I was much more interested in playing a game, 90% of which was already familiar. We consulted the rules when there was confusion, which was often. Reading the rules in detail first might have been helpful, but it still didn’t answer most of the 10% of questions that come up as exceptions, nuances or rare situations, which is why I read these boards. Sure there was plenty of slop and mistakes, but I admit when I’m wrong and try to do it correctly going forward.