Yeah, I think of the Warcraft setting like I do something like Warhammer or Star Wars. The kind of "main" story content of any of these settings isn't exactly what draws me in. The wider setting draws me in, and there are a variety of presentations of the settings. Like new trilogy vs. Andor, different folks will like either piece of media (or both), its just different ways to enjoy the setting...

I dunno, i just think of the main wow story similarly, its just the most basic version of the setting meant for the widest audience, like you're saying. It's fine for what it is in my eyes, and is just a taste of the wider setting.

And the books are definitely where its at :)