My Grandfather has served with the Yankee Division in WW1, so I was already interested in anything I could read on that topic. All about the same time I too discoved gurney's book in the school library (but in the 1960's :-X). Then came airfix/revell kits, the dogfight game (still have it
) and too many more books (with neat pictures).
Peter, you are right about hobbies. I gaem with miniatures and too many folks have never painted the toys soldiers they push or built terrain to fight on. They buy ready painted troops and commerical terrain. You are right, too little time for enjoyment. But it takes some of the fun out of it.
Old Nick