What opening in particular are you playing? It is easier to explain the basic ideas behind an opening you can relate to.
How to Figure out the Basic Ideas behind an Opening?
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Many, many moons ago, Reuben Fine wrote a book, titled exactly that: The ideas behind the chess openings.
Might be worth searching for a second hand copy, although it will probably be in descriptive notation.
There are books that have a general introduction to all openings. Fine's is rather outdated (he condemns many things that are considered perfectly playable nowadays). "Chess Opening Essentials" is such a series, as is Watsons's Mastering the Chess Openings series.
But I'd go for Wikipedia and Google. There's something out there on most openings. And sites like Exeter Chess Club's: http://www.exeterchessclub.org.uk/openings.html
I asked a question like this the other day and someone said that you would need to look at specific books regarding specific openings. The point was that some openings have so much theory around them (the sicilian comes to mind), entire books have been written regarding the lines and theory.
Yes, but you don't need those books!
At least, not until
a) A general book on all openings (like Nunn's Chess Openings) isn't enough
b) Your opponents know that much theory,
c) Not knowing the theory that deep has actual effect on the outcome of your games
Some opening books also have wonderful explanation, and are a great tool to learn an opening. But the amount of theory in an opening by itself is rarely the reason to need such a book, below say 2200 OTB. And none of it is any use if you're still dropping pieces after the opening...
A lot of people have suggested to learn the basic ideas behind an opening instead of memorizing variation after variation. But where do you find that information? Are you supposed to buy books on that topic? Or do you just go over grandmaster games with that opening and conclude it for yourself? How do you go about doing this? Thanks.