Trujillo: The Goat of the Caribbean

The man who made a nation bow—and called it love.

In Trujillo: The Goat of the Caribbean, Charles Carlini reconstructs the rise and reign of Rafael Trujillo with unflinching clarity, tracing the architecture of authority that shaped the Dominican Republic under decades of authoritarian control. Within its disciplined narrative, history becomes both account and reckoning, where political ascent and national transformation are inseparably bound.

This book is a series of interviews with leading historians, journalists, and witnesses who lived through Trujillo’s rule. The work follows Trujillo from his emergence within the military ranks to his consolidation of absolute power, revealing the mechanisms by which control is maintained and legitimized. Through calculated alliances, cultivated image, and systemic intimidation, his regime extends itself into nearly every dimension of public and private life. Institutions bend beneath the weight of loyalty enforced rather than freely given, while the surface of order conceals a deeper atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Against this backdrop, the biography maps not only the actions of a ruler, but the reshaping of a society compelled to adapt to his presence.

Carlini’s account offers a sober reflection on the nature of dictatorship, where authority becomes inseparable from its human cost. Trujillo: The Goat of the Caribbean stands as a study of how power, once unchecked, redefines both history and memory.

• A penetrating biography of authoritarian rule and political power

• A detailed examination of Trujillo’s impact on Dominican society

• A timeless reflection on control, fear, and historical memory

Available in multiple formats:

• Paperback & Hardcover: Beautifully designed print editions presenting the complete, unabridged text made to last.

• Ebook: DRM-free EPUB compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers.

• Audiobook: Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged, available on all major audiobook platforms.

Elegantly produced and enduring in form, this edition preserves a stark chapter of history in a volume designed for lasting reflection.

About the Editor

Charles Carlini is an author, editor, and publisher. He is the author of Won’t Get Fooled Again and the creator of the Strongmen Series, which explores the lives and legacies of authoritarian leaders through incisive interviews and critical commentary.