Aron Nimzowitsch's book "My System" although dated in parts has improved my game no end.  I've just reread the book for the fifth time or so and just wanted to share this first example game for anyone who has not seen it.  For me it probably improved my outlook of the opening and development more than anything else that I've read or studied.

 

Although with analysis some of blacks moves are questionable as the game progresses the point of the game is to illustrate the ill consequences of pawn-snatching in the opening.  Annotations in quotation marks are from the book itself. 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure there are many great books out there, some that I will take to myself but for me the sometimes mechanical, logical approach along with the humorous (intentional or not) writing style really got me into this.  As a first book it is perfect.

I just got this book recently. It is a good read. When I get a get a chess book I always zoom through it a first time. This gets me familiar with the set-up of the book, terminology, and the writting style. It's the second read where I start to take things in a little. Have you considered getting his other famous book. I think it deals more with the stuff in Part 2 of My System, but in more detail.

I'm not sure yet.  I'm reading "How to reassess your chess" by Jeremy Silman at the moment aswell as studying "Tal Botvinik 1960 Match for the world chess championship" by Tal.  Finding the Silman book really interesting and intuitive.  I may go back to Nimzo, if anything the dramatics of his writing will have me giggle!

Yes, Nimzo does have a perticular writting style that makes me smile. I own The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal. Obviously, his personality shines through, as well as his honesty. He mentioned that if he had to write the Tal - Botvinik book again, he would of approched it with a bit more maturity. Reading between the lines I get the impression that he may of sounded a bit cocky in the Tal - Botvinik book. Would you say this is the case?

I'm not sure that's the impression I get so far, though I'm only up to the start of the 2nd game.  I think self-confident maybe but not cocky

15.Bxc6+ is mate in 3. it's very interesting that Nimzowitsch has missed this.

Does he not make mate in 3 anyhow ?