Once they get it at least part-way written, do they plan to include it in the beta builds? I hope they do, for two reasons...
1: We can check for spots that are unclear, etc.
2: We can test the game better if we know more about what features are supposed to be there and exactly how they are supposed to work. Time permitting, I can picture myself trying to use the manual as a checklist of features to test.
(this is my first Stardock beta, so I don't know if they always include it)