I have never played a Might and Magic game before, and I'm unable to get my party to fight, cast spells, or do anything but take damage in battle. I see no "enable ai" option anywhere.

There is no Enable AI. If you don't do anything, the party won't do anything.

Click to attack. Click on spell book to cast spells (or assign a quick spell which you can then right click cast in combat). If things are happening too fast, press Enter to use turn-based mode.

Alright.

Read the manual for full descriptions of how to interact with the game.

The Reference Card has a list of keyboard short cuts and other basic information to help you get started quickly.

The default party will be able to cover all the necessary and highly desirable skills in the game.

:D

Not a fan of massive tomes to read before playing but I'll read it.

Good grief....

This is just a few pages, a massive tome is the instruction manual for Microsoft Flight Simulator X, check that out one. You should read more if you think that checking just a few pages on how to navigate the game is a massive tome, honestly. :D

I actually enjoy starting games w/o reading the manual. But I figure, Left Click "What does that do?" Oh sorry peasant.. Left Click shoots. Arrow up down. And the usual "A S D" series of keys. Q usually does something. "Oh I'm at the desktop. Don't hit Q again."
But that did not work in Mirrowind. Actually had to read that damn manual.