Saxon discusses his family, Jewish ancestry, physics Ph.D. at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MIT laboratory, Julian Schwinger, wartime radar work; joining University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Physics Department, 1947, and strategy for building department; Loyalty Oath non-signer, repercussions, and negotiating return to UCLA, 1951; UCLA leadership, Franklin Murphy, Charles Young; interest in committee, AAUP, Academic Senate work, policy; eventual distancing from physics department as vice-chancellor of UCLA [1968-1975] and provost of the University [1974-1975]; rise of professional schools; social and political turmoil, riots; ethnic studies issues; rivalry with Berkeley; interviews and considerations in accepting presidency of the University [1975-1983]; transitions, centralization and de-centralization; appointments, reorganization of University Hall; thoughts on President vis a vis Regents, consultation, use of, setting agenda, socializing, separation; Political Reform Act of 1974.

Governors Jerry Brown and George Deukmejian and the state budget; the Master Plan of 1960-1975; strengthening academic standards; understanding budgets; remedial and minority group issues; planning process, University's building program, bond issues; weapons labs and other government labs, financing and place in University of California (UC) budget; UC investment issues; campus foundations; Proposition 13; Bakke v. Board of Regents and difficulty of affirmative action; reviewing University hospitals and clinics; Reserve Officers Training Corps; evaluating chancellors' performance; resignation, to become Chairman of the Corporation, MIT, 1983-1990; successor David Gardner, question of parity of other UC campuses Berkeley, limiting enrollment, comprehensive offerings on all campuses, financial crises, faculty and University governance; increasing science literacy and concept of a liberal education at MIT.