From
Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators pp 350-352 by H. H. Hurt, Jr. University of Southern California, published by U.S. Navy 1960, revised 1965:
For the conditions of steady flight with a given airplane, each angle of attack corresponds to a specific airspeed. Each angle of attack produces a specific value of [lift coefficient] and each value of [lift coefficient] requires a specific value of equivalent airspeed to provide lift equal to weight. Hence, angle of attack is the primary control of airspeed in steady flight.
Primary control of airspeed in steady flight by angle of attack is an important principle. …
[T]he rate of climb in steady flight is a direct function of the difference between power available and power required. … For this reason, it is apparent that power setting is the primary control of altitude in steady flight. …
FLYING TECHNIQUE. Since the conditions of steady flight predominate during a majority of all flying, the fundamentals of flying technique are the fundamentals of steady flight:
(1) Angle of attack is the primary control of airspeed.
(2) Power setting is the primary control of altitude, i.e., rate of climb/descent.
With the exception of the transient conditions of flight which occur during maneuvers and acrobatics, the conditions of steady flight will be applicable during such steady flight conditions as cruise, climb, descent, takeoff, approach, landing etc. A clear understanding of these two principles will develop good, safe flying techniques applicable to any sort of aeroplane.
[Italics and capitals in original text.]
If you want a recent reference, go to the article on angle of attack in the latest Aust Flying. It notes that all those speeds you remember (best ROC, best glide etc) are actually attempts to achieve an angle of attack that produces the corresponding performance.