What is self-organization? -- How self-organization works -- Characteristics of self-organizing systems -- Alternatives to self-organization -- Why self-organization? -- Investigation of self-organization -- Misconceptions about self-organization -- Pattern formation in slime molds and bacteria -- Feeding aggregations of bark beetles -- Synchronized flashing among fireflies -- Fish schooling -- Nectar source selection by honey bees -- Trail formation in ants -- The swarm raids of army ants -- Colony thermoregulation in honey bees -- Comb patterns in honey bee colonies -- Wall building by ants -- Termite mound building -- Construction algorithms in wasps -- Dominance hierarchies in paper wasps -- Lessons, speculations, and the future of self-organization.