The autobiography begins with a description of Alex Neil's childhood in Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland. He describes games and songs that were popular among children at the time. The chapters on Neil's school days mainly consist of descriptions of the pupils and teachers he met including John Rankin, a teacher who was arrested as a conscientious objector and later became a Labour MP. The chapters dealing with his time at the University of Glasgow and Jordanhill College are similar, describing lectures and fellow students. He also touches on the financial difficulties that he faced during his time at the University.
As well as descriptions of teachers and pupils, the chapters that deal with Alex Neil's teaching career also detail his successful efforts to start and maintain school libraries.
Throughout the autobiography Alex Neil also describes his involvement with Labour Party politics and those of his wife, Lysbeth, who was elected as a Labour councillor. Alex Neil also describes the difficulties he faced during his teaching career due to being both a Labour Party member and an atheist.