Opinion on My System

I had this book for years collecting dust and recently I just finished reading it. I had heard numerous pros and cons about this book. Going back about a decade at my first attempt to read this material, it was too advanced. But now that I'm able to understand it, the concepts are something I already use. I wanted to get a consensus on this book to see if praxis is worth the money and time. While I did find most of the book redundant to my knowledge, there were a few things that I found increased my knowledge. If anything it was an enjoyable read from a book written in the early 20th century.

Tal liked it:

http://www.chess.com/blog/Spektrowski/tigran-petrosian-foreword-to-aron-nimzowitschs-quotchess-praxisquot-1979

So does John Watson:

http://www.theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/john-watson-book-review-107-of-eplus-and-chess-praxis  He particularly likes the Sherwood translation version readable using the e+ app for ipads and iphones.

I also heard that Karpov liked it as well. The section about the isolated queen pawn was something he was very good at promoting. Petrosian read it too and used it. I learned a few things. The section on prophylaxis was interesting.

I have never read it, but considering its a classic that has stood the test of time, there has to be something to it.

I read it quite a while ago, like in the 70's. Praxis and if you get it Blockade are both worth the time and the money.

It is the chess player's bible.  To completely and seriously read My System is a rite of passage. 

Maybe I wasn't committed enough, but seemed a bit simplistic.

Thanks for responses. I enjoyed reading it. Some of his writing is witty and fun to read. It is a classic, and the ideas shaped chess into what it is today. Like the part on the French defense still applies. The part on using rooks on open files, creating an outpost, rooks behind past pawns, double pawns as a weakness or strength, and pawn chains all seem pretty straightforward but this book was written a century ago. I guess the ideas have had a strong influence on chess.

I respect that. I've heard both the good and bad. In my opinion the book My System is a good read, but there isn't anything strikingly novel about the ideas. I think that's because today his ideas are so well known, that we already practice those ideas. I remember when I first started chess I was learning basics. I wanted to be good so I read part of this book. The idea which made a lasting impression on me was over protection of the center. Nowdays after I read some of his ideas I feel they are somewhat dated material. I wouldn't say the book is going to turn you into a grandmaster overnight, but Nimzowitsch is right about a lot of things.

From my system I learned a lot about the IQP

 

I found Praxis very interseting to read: Grandmaster explanations to extremely unorthadox lines

Seems like you get out what you put in because the sections don't really elaborate too deeply on the topics and he uses game analysis as examples to cover all the details. So you have to really go through the games to see the why and how. If you did this and learned from it I commend you.