This is a seemingly loaded question, but is there a clear book (or better yet downloadable pdf/.doc file) that addresses key issues during a game?  For example, opening should typically consist of controlling center and developing pieces, but what about all the other ideas, dogmatic or not, regarding play?

While I hope the desire to learn is really there, I am certainly lacking in what route to take along the educational path.

"How to Reassess Your chess" (Jeremy Silman)... there is even a work book.

Or John Watson's books: Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy,Chess Strategy in Action, and the three "Mastering the Chess Openings: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Modern Chess Openings" (depending on what you want to play).

Lev Alburt has a good course that has helped some beginner players become very good. 

TASC is huge in Europe but you will need a coach who can walk you through the five levels.  It will take you from beginner to Master level (knowledge not necessarily practice).

Colby's "Secrets of a GrandPatzer" is suprisingly good and useful for the non-professional player.

http://www.chessdryad.com/education/magictheater/

http://www.chessdryad.com/education/magictheater/

(just google it) ;)

I tried the chessdryad. Nice! But the sound is terrible. Any way to make that voice clearer?  It may be my computer speakers, but I don't think so.

stwils

When I was first learning, only books existed.  It should be LOTS easier now.  I had to buy a book for everything... one for openings theory, one for a library of opening lines, one for middle game strategies, one for endgame strategies, one for positional play, one for king-hunting, one for combinations... etc etc.

Sounds "fine" to me... he seems to have a "gravely" voice and probably a "northeasterner" (New England...) accent (slurs some words together).  Might need to contact chessdryad about the sound issue.

Another suggestion.  Use your inter-library loan system to check out books you might be intersted in...  some books are only worth a single glance, others you will want to purchase and study.  I once knew a guy who owned a copy of Nimzovitch's "My System" book.  Read it and memorized it like a Bible...  I went over it once, still have the copy in almost mint condition

Silman's "Reassess" books are the new "My System."