The first book of the four volume opus The NatureOfOrder by architect ChristopherAlexander. In bookstores, now (from June, 2003). (And Amazon, too.)
ISBN: 0195106393 (UK edition, Aug. 2003; US Amazon site does not list it, so use http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0195106393/portlandpatternrA/.)
You can look at all the patterns stuff a whole lot differently after reading this book. You can see the glimpse of his ideas in AnewTheoryOfUrbanDesign. -- JuneKim
June, I've just finished reading it and would very much like to discuss it. To make a start: In which way did the book change your view of patterns? -- HelmutLeitner
Perhaps you were expecting a DefinitionOfLife?