Is anyone aware of a book or online resource that defines the style and basic objectives of openings?  An example would be a sharp opening with a battle for e5 and opportunities to attack on the king side.  I'm not looking for an opening that fits this exact description but I would like to learn this type of information about as many openings as possible.  If several openings lead to a similar style of game, it would be nice to have the opportunity to transpose from one to the other.  I could probably figure this out by studying them one by one and recording the results but I would rather buy the book if that is an option.  :) 

I use this wiki:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Opening_theory_in_chess

It's far from complete but the most important information is all there.

 "Ideas Behind the Chess Openings" by Reuben Fine.

I have Fine's book and am just getting into it. However, I have heard (read) several people say it is out dated. Is it?

stwils

Fine's books is outdated, but the way he looks at openings is not. So take note of the process, but don't believe every conclusion he writes...

Thanks for the suggestions.  I found a free copy of Reuben Fine's book if anybody is interested. 

 Fine wrote an updated edition around 1992.  It includes "newer" openings like the Benko Gambit that weren't in the original edition.

I have Fine's updated edition (1989). Yes, its lines are dated when compared to the latest book on any particular opening, Informant, CB Magazine, or NIC Yearbook. But that's not why you're buying it. His book still excels at teaching the basic principles behind opening play which he notes have not changed much since his 1943 edition.

My favorite book on opening principles is Ward's Improve Your Opening Play (2007). It explains the principles, but the lines also happen to be modern. :)