Anti-Perfect So-Called History: A Nation Under God is a thought-provoking non-fiction work by Carolina Santos that blends personal memoir, historical revisionism, and biblical scholarship. Drawing on her own experiences growing up between the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the United States, Santos provides a deeply personal lens through which she examines the history and identity of her homeland.
At the heart of the book is the concept of the "Dominican Covenant," the belief that the Dominican Republic exists under a unique divine mandate-a notion symbolized by the country's distinction as the only nation with an open Bible on its national flag. Santos explores how this covenant has shaped the Dominican people, their culture, and their understanding of nationhood, while challenging traditional historical narratives that often overlook the spiritual dimension of the country's identity.
The book's approach is multi-layered: it is a memoir that recounts Santos's own life and formative experiences, a historical revision that questions accepted accounts of the Dominican Republic's past, and a work of biblical scholarship that interprets scripture and religious symbolism in the context of national identity. Throughout, Santos combines analytical rigor with personal reflection, making the text both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant.
Ultimately, Anti-Perfect So-Called History invites readers to reconsider what they know about the Dominican Republic, not only as a historical and political entity, but as a nation whose story is intertwined with faith, survival, and a distinctive sense of purpose under God.