I think the way to approach a chord encyclopedia is to start with just one key...C for instance. Then learn 3-5 (or more if you choose) shapes of most variations (minor, 7th, diminished, etc). Having those shapes memorized, it's helpful to learn the relevant notes that make the chord what it is, like what Benoit touched upon, basic construction. At the very least and prolly most important would be to know where the root note is of these shapes. In this way, when you know your root position you can move the shape to a different key of your choice without having to look it up. After it exhausts the positions of every chord variation on C (where most chord books start), the rest of the book is almost redundant anyways...the shapes pretty much stay the same.

As far as rhythm, I like how my Mel Bay chord book I've had for years breaks them up. For every particular chord name it lists forms under Melody (treble strings emphasized), Inside (yep, the inside 5 strings), Rhythm (as many strings as possible), and Bottom 4. But with another chord book that arranges them another way, it's still up to you how much you use of any shape. Like just because it shows the F major bar chord using all strings, doesn't mean you have to use all of them and you can find your own shapes.