Just to add a couple of suggestions to Don Firth's list, my favorite books on guitar technique are the ones written by the late Ted Greene, who sadly died quite young.

Copied from Wikipedia:

Greene, Ted. Chord Chemistry, Alfred Publishing Company ISBN 0-89898-696-6

Greene, Ted. Modern Chord Progressions, Alfred Publishing Company ISBN 0-89898-698-2

Greene, Ted. Jazz Guitar Single Note Soloing, Volume 1, Alfred Publishing Company ISBN 0-7692-0972-6

Greene, Ted. Jazz Guitar Single Note Soloing, Volume 2, Alfred Publishing Company ISBN 0-7692-1282-4

The problem with hooking your finger around the neck will disappear if you practice not doing it.

A couple of months of practicing barre chords a lot and you shouldn't have any trouble anymore.

A classical guitar is a wonderful instrument. Even if I had my electric guitar available (it's on another continent), I would probably _practice_ most on the classical. I'd love a steel-string, a twelve-string, electric and acoustic, and all sorts of other related instruments. However, for sheer versatility you can't beat the classical guitar.