Ask: what the hell is service-oriented architecture?

Here is the back cover blurb for a book on "service-oriented modeling" and service-oriented architecture.

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) is the hottest topic in the IT arena. Providing a comprehensive plan to interrelate business with technology, SOA combines the talents and skills of an entire organization, with its requisite needs and computing know-how. Presenting the necessary tools—processes, best practices, and standards—for developing a sound SOA, Service-Oriented Modeling: Service Analysis, Design, and Architecture introduces a service-oriented modeling framework that employs an agile and universal business and technology language to facilitate analysis, design, and architecture initiatives.

I have no clue what that means. I wonder: precisely what is that in terms of actual programs, bits, and bytes? Is it simple, flexible web services? Exposing programs as web services? Web services as a loose coupling technique of disparate systems? Throw me a bone here.