There are two interesting pairs of books on related subjects put out by Everyman. The company's idea is to have one general overview and one more complete treatise. ENGLISH …e5 by Alexander Raetsky and Maxim Chetverik is a well-organized and up-to-date book on 1.c4 e5. Many who consistently play the English Opening will want it, but be warned that in certain sections it consists mainly of densely packed database games with only sparse commentary. This is clearly a book for intermediate to advanced players. Nevertheless, there is just enough explanatory material in some key games and sections that one can learn a lot about the opening without being overwhelmed in details.

On the negative side, I should mention that the assessments of various lines at the end of the chapter are far too brief and uninformative. Carsten Hansen's previously reviewed book on 1.c4 e5 is older (1999) and is therefore missing the updated material provided by ENGLISH …e5. But I find Hansen's work easier to read with clearer assessments. Both books are worthy of recommendation, with ENGLISH …e5 the better choice for supplying the latest twists and turns of each variation, and Hansen's book superior for laying out the opening as a whole and covering wider ground.

Neil McDonald's STARTING OUT: THE ENGLISH takes the opposite tack. It lays out the way that the English opening is organized into major variations and subvariations, and then goes into extensive general discussion about strategy, weaknesses, elementary principles and the like. Toss in some positionally revealing complete games and this book becomes an excellent introduction to 1.c4 for players from post-beginner to advanced club player.

Click to see Bauer's review of STARTING OUT: THE ENGLISH