About the book: 1966 / To meet Sam Minafee in person meant at least to be resurrected to life, to receive a powerful recharge. He had the gift of reviving former enthusiasm that had died out in idleness or despondency. University students mired in academic debt would arrive at Professor Minafee's apartment and, after being exposed to his inner fire for an hour or so, would leave floating an inch or so above the ground, re-mobilized for the battle for knowledge. Sam Minafee was loved by many, and some hated him with a passion. Probably the tragedy of his violent death should have been foreseen. No one managed to avoid extremes in their attitude towards him. To those who hated him, his very existence must have been unbearable. Sam Minaphy was killed by an asshole named Alden Smith. He was a guy of about nineteen, expelled from high school, mentally retarded, an empty place, zero. Whatever his fantasies about Sam Minafee when he pulled the trigger of the rifle that blew the professor's head off, it remained a mystery, because Alden Smith was beaten to death by the crowd surrounding him.