user7002: I recently finished Neil McDonald's "Starting Out: 1.e4!". Now I would like to learn some Black responses. Could someone recommend a book at similar level to Neil's, but focus on Black? 
I'm not sure whether to read several specific books or find one general book (eg with 4 chapters on play against e4, d4, c4, Nf3). One general book to start with would be my preference (so I can pick my favourites), if there is a good one.
By the way, I don't quite like Neil's recommendation on the Scoth game (trade queens, play an endgame where the opponent has a weak pawn). I tried the Scotch gambit a bit. Is there any good resource to go deeper on the Scotch gambit?

user4588: There are many responses to 1.e4 for black, in order of popularity according to the Game Database of ChessTempo: 

1....c5 (Sicilian)
1....e5
1....e6 (French)
1....c6 (Caro-Kann)
etc...

Each of these openings also have many variations. Futhermore, there are also many books on each of these openings. It is not easy to advise you one, as it depends on many things: your playing strength, your playing style, etc...
A good idea might be to play an opening with black that you don't like to encounter when playing white. This way,

You have an opening for black (your initial goal)
You can also find good continuations to play as white

After you made your opening choice, you can search for a book about that specific opening.
Edit: That being said, if you want to broaden your view, here are a couple of books that cover a wide range of openings: 

Nunn's Chess Openings
Fundamental Chess Openings
Winning Chess Openings


user4362: One very popular beginners book about openings from the black side is this one. The focus isn't on grandmaster level opening theory, but on keeping everything understandable and manageable. 

7002: <p>I recently finished Neil McDonald's "Starting Out: 1.e4!". Now I would like to learn some Black responses. Could someone recommend a book at similar level to Neil's, but focus on Black? </p>

<p>I'm not sure whether to read several specific books or find one general book (eg with 4 chapters on play against e4, d4, c4, Nf3). One general book to start with would be my preference (so I can pick my favourites), if there is a good one.</p>

<p>By the way, I don't quite like Neil's recommendation on the Scoth game (trade queens, play an endgame where the opponent has a weak pawn). I tried the Scotch gambit a bit. Is there any good resource to go deeper on the Scotch gambit?</p>
 4588: <p>There are many responses to 1.e4 for black, in order of popularity according to the <a href="http://chesstempo.com/game-database.html" rel="nofollow">Game Database of ChessTempo</a>: </p>

<ul>
<li>1....c5 (Sicilian)</li>
<li>1....e5</li>
<li>1....e6 (French)</li>
<li>1....c6 (Caro-Kann)</li>
<li>etc...</li>
</ul>

<p>Each of these openings also have many variations. Futhermore, there are also many books on each of these openings. It is not easy to advise you one, as it depends on many things: your playing strength, your playing style, etc...</p>

<p>A good idea might be to play an opening with black that you don't like to encounter when playing white. This way,</p>

<ul>
<li>You have an opening for black (your initial goal)</li>
<li>You can also find good continuations to play as white</li>
</ul>

<p>After you made your opening choice, you can search for a book about that specific opening.</p>

<p>Edit: That being said, if you want to broaden your view, here are a couple of books that cover a wide range of openings: </p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1857442210" rel="nofollow">Nunn's Chess Openings</a></li>
<li><a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1906454132" rel="nofollow">Fundamental Chess Openings</a></li>
<li><a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1857443497" rel="nofollow">Winning Chess Openings</a></li>
</ul>
 4362: <p>One very popular beginners book about openings from the black side is <a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1889323187" rel="nofollow">this one</a>. The focus isn't on grandmaster level opening theory, but on keeping everything understandable and manageable. </p>
