Paul van der Sterren's Fundamental Chess Openings seems to have supplanted MCO as the gold standard for one volume opening books. Good explanations of how each opening has developed over the years and typical plans. Van der Sterren will take a paragraph to explain a single move so he doesn't always go deeper than 8 to 10 moves, but you'll know where the middlegame is heading and why. And of course, Coach Heisman's book list which is useful despite recommending MCO.
http://www.danheisman.com/recommended-books.html
I currently own these books, what other books would be good or compliment?
The Amateur's Mind by Silman
How to Reassess Your Chess by Silman
Weapons of Chess by Pandolfini
How Not to Play Chess by Znosko-Borovsky
Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess
Winning Chess by Chernev
Logical Chess Moves by Chernev
I'm thinking opening and end game, but critique and thoughts welcome! Thank you.