This book represents 30 years of contemplation of the big questions of existence, the universe and everything. It is an essentially complete philosophical theory; though it does have many "scientific" elements, some quite technical (which are roughly based in real physics & chemistry), it is fundamentally metaphysical in content. This book is an exercise in seeking out logical solutions to incredibly difficult questions; it is for the reader to decide whether this has been successfully achieved and will no doubt evoke both controversy and antipathy in equal measure among some readers - therefore, a fully open mind is a must. Proceed with caution into the universe of ECHO theory... [NB: This book has been previously published under an alternative pseudonym and several titles; this version has an extended Epilogue - (ca 26000 words).]