I'm a very self-directed learner and don't feel that I have lost something if I pull the information from an author via his/her words in books as opposed to a teacher doing it for me.
If you know to look for it. That's my point. If you don't have the background how do you know to look for the connections.
I don't think it's a matter of background. It's a matter of premise. I know that knowledge doesn't spring forth fully created as a stand alone entity, but rather that it is rooted into what came before.
There have been comprehensive historical books that tie things together. Perhaps I'm an oddity in that I have always adored biographical books. So, I guess I entered into the fray knowing that there is something "behind" it all and have pursued it.
That's sweet about the teacher. I think the good ones seldom get enough kudos and it's clear that your letter truly touched him.
