If I am jumping back into Batman with the "New 52", how vital is it that I know all the ins and outs of the characters back story? I have read a few titles over the years and have a "general" idea of what has occurred, but never really followed the character at a granular level. Any advise would be appreciated...

I don't think you'll have an issue at all. If you know the general ideas behind Batman, than you're pretty much set.

Honestly you don't need to know anything. Enjoy bro!

Only advice... also check out Batman and Robin... it's awesome!!!

There are 1 or two major things in Bat history that it would be best you know, A robin died and came back to life, Batman died and came back to life, Alfred died and came back to life (no longer canon), Batgirl was crippled and now is un-crippled, Bane broke Batman's back but his back is un-broken, Batman created an international society of Batmen, 4 robins 3 batgirls. And then some other stuff

if you know the general idea of Batman you will be fine, all the extra stuff isnt necessary in the new 52, they are making some new villains in fact

Nah if you know the history you'll be fine, if you get confused it'll solve with time or you can ask here

Meanwhile enjoy :D

All you really need to know is that his parents were shot in an alley when he was a child, triggering his war on crime. And another useful thing to know would be to learn some basic background info on Batman's many Robins.

The beauty of Batman is the elegant simplicity of his origin. A boy watched his parents murdered before his eyes, and so became an omen of the night to avenge their deaths. It makes sense, it doesn't require any bells and ribbons, it's all you need to know to get into Batman.

This is pretty much the whole point of the New 52 my friend, clean slate for the most part, no better time to get back in.

You know who Batman is, how he came to be and what he does.

He's Batman, parents got deaded, he kicks badguy behind.

Anything crops up that you can't just nod and say "okay that happened while I was away" & you rly rly need to know the details... you have the mighty interweb at your disposal.