I have a mildly other take than a lot of the other posters (but not much different). If you like the English you should play it and if it makes you more comfortable, then reading one book on the opening might be good, particularly if it discusses important strategic/middle game motives. E.g. Kosten's 1.c4 2.g3 3.Bg2 repertoire book is great, I used to play that for a few years and one did get a nice mixed bag of different positions (both tactical and strategical, although of course you'd get more tactical positions with 1.e4 e5). I do certainly believe that what openings you play is fairly irrelevant up to a pretty high level, it certainly only matters to a very limited extent at my level (2200): the really bad things get punished (1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6 doesn't fare too well and I wouldn't venture 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6, either), but wondering whether the King's Indian is in trouble due to the b4-variation, or whether 1.c4 c5 is too drawish is relatively pointless from the perspective of success in practical (non-professional) over-the-board play. Minor differences in objective value are by far outweighted by how comfortable we are with the resulting positions and whether we know a little bit about the opening and middle game. Additionally sooner or later tactics, strategy and anything else that exists in chess usually happens in games, whatever opening one plays (okay, okay, 1.f4 e5 2.g4 will keep most things from happening, I know...). Of course certainly there is some truth in that 1.e4 leads to more tactical positons early on more often and it certainly wouldn't hurt to play it, but I see it as less important than a lot of other things.

So in addition to the advice to concentrate on the non-opening aspects, I'd also say that I am less sure it is important for beginners to play 1.e4 e5, I think one should just pick whatever opening one enjoys/likes/knows a little bit about, read/watch/listen to/be given a introduction to the opening and then play it for as long as possible so that one can concentrate on the other aspects of chess. "For as long as possible" really could mean until you become professional, although I'll admit that I e.g. replaced my old Scandinavian repetoire against 1.e4 with the Sicilian 3 years ago, because I had some theoretical difficulties (the results were good though, overall) and more importantly in order to play new positions and learn something from them.

thank you, before i get the books, i'll continue to study tactics

Hi,
It depends on the opening.  I would buy Sam collins book An attacking repertoire for white and Starting out 1.e4 by Neil McDonald.  you use some of each in your repertoire.  For example use what McDonald Recommends vs French but not what he recommends vs Siclians, use Collins's book for siclians.   
hope this helps some,
Zatara

maybe u missread me, i am playing e4 and spening time working on tactics

i'm spending more time on tactics, and i think the game i posted shows some improvements due to my tactics, 30 minutes a day for a month now

here is a game i just played on FICS with the english

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 d6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.0-0 c6 7.b4 Be6 8.d3 Nbd7 9.Bg5 0-0 10.Rb1 d5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Qd2 Qb6 13.a3 Ng4 14.Rbc1 Rac8 15.h3 f6 16.hxg4 fxg5 17.Nxg5 Bh6 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bxd5+ 1-0

mate is forced in a few moves as where ever the king moves, white will win the bishop and after the queen enters the fray, mate is forced.

i was white, now i'm going to begin studying 1.e4 openings, i enjoyed the game as i was on the attack and had some nice tactical moves, anyways, that's how i play the english

Three amendments: against the French I recommend the Exchange 3.exd5 exd5 4.c4. Easy to learn, still has punch and also contains the important theme of the isolated queen's pawn.
The Panov-Botvinnik is highly theoretical. Instead I recommend the Exchange 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3. Play often sees White attacking on the kingside, Black on the queenside.
The Sämisch 3.f3 against the Pirc is also highly theoretical. Just play 3.Nc3, 4.Be3, 5.Qd2. After this you will decide about your kingside.
These are easier starters then DP's suggestions.

Hi ALl,
Doubled pawns cool repertoire!!  I bet it is playable to about 2400...  Where do you recommend getting material on the French system you recommend.  I have "A Startling chess Opening Repertoire"  and it uses that system.  Until what elo can your French suggestion be played to?  Thanks for your time doubled pawns.  Good luck to Kobesarmy!!
Zatara