Long-term readers of this magazine will recall that for our first three years of publication, we ran a continuing series of
articles called "From the Ground Up," by then-technical editor Charlie Wing. Those 22 illustrated articles, which examined in detail all of the various systems in a typical home, were and remain some of the most popular features published in this magazine.

The book upon which those articles were based has long been out of print. But Charlie, who left the magazine last year to write books full time, has just published a new work that draws upon his years of experience with home systems, as well as his talent as an illustrator. Called How Your House Works, the new book is essentially an illustrated guide to your home.

Charlie examines all of the components of a typical home - including plumbing, wiring, heating and cooling, air quality, appliances, windows and doors, and foundation and frame - and provides detailed break-apart illustrations and concise explanations to help even the most non-technical homeowner better understand how a home works. Want to get an inside look at how a sump pump, dishwasher, furnace, direct-vent gas fireplace, tankless hot water heater or air conditioner works? You'll find all that here and more.

Charlie also provides details on how to keep your home's systems working properly, and how to save money by conducting simple repairs yourself before calling in a plumber, electrician or contractor. That alone makes this book well worth the cover price, and then some. (RSMeans; $21.95.)