I've been playing games like Civ since the original Civ, so I'm not unfamiliar with these sorts of strategy games; however, FE does seem to present a nasty challenge for a first-timer.  I tried a few times and had some challenges, my first game I was building up my starting city and by the time I trained a pioneer, there were so visible placement areas.  Second time, was definitely better, expanded a bit but eventually was left hemmed in again by the a.i.  Then I came here during my third try and you all have been very helpful in explaining stuff that just isn't readily apparent.  Designed units are WAY better than stock?  --Good to  know!  --Mounted staff-wielding units are nasty, thanks for that!  Grocer gives 10% health to all units?  --Glad I only built two of the +50% gildar when idle cities!  

Anyway, still on my third game, working on the master quest, still on easy.  I gotta say, I panicked when there was some big world event and a dragon pops up on one of my roads and massive armies of elementals and trolls are poking around my borders.  I sacrificed both of my veteran armies killing the dragon, then rushed production of those fire-staff mounted mages and took out the trolls.  Now I have a trained dragon and wow is that ever nasty...

So, thank you all again.  I'm enjoying FE a lot more now that I don't feel like I'm fumbling around cluelessly.  I'm looking forward to ramping up the difficulty now that I have a clue about how to play!