Personally I like the certification route. Even if you don't actually take the tests (and the 2008 exams will no longer be given after the middle of next year) if you study to the requirements you will get a very nice overview of SQL Server.
I used Microsoft SQL Server 2008 - Implementation and Maintenance Self-Paced Training Kit published by Microsoft press to prep for the 70-432, and I'm currently using the Joes 2 Pros books for the 70-433. It's a 5 book set but there is a lot of information and they do a nice job of teaching the information.
Neither is going to give you everything but they do give you nice grounding in Administration & Development respectively.
Kenneth FisherI was once offered a wizards hat but it got in the way of my dunce cap.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following... http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/[/url]For better answers on performance questions, click on the following... http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/[/url]Link to my Blog Post --> www.SQLStudies.com[/url]