A Throne in Brussels Britain, the Saxe-Coburgs and the Belgianisation of Europe Paul Belien xvi + 384 pp., £25.00/$49.90, 184540033X (cloth) May 2005 £14.95/$29.90, 1845400658 (pbk.) Feb 2006  Prologue Sample Chapter Index Search Inside the Book at Amazon.com Search Inside the Book at Amazon.co.uk Purchase your copy 'An unusual blend of history, analysis and warning . . . Belien is to be congratulated not only on his courage and erudition, but also on his writing skills.' Gerald Frost, Eurofacts

Paul Belien argues that the pan-European super-state currently in the making will resemble a ‘Greater-Belgium’ rather than a ‘Greater-Switzerland’, since Europe will also be an artificial construct. Belgium has infected EU political attitudes and acts as a model for the EU — a failed attempt to ‘construct a nation’ out of different peoples with separate languages and traditions. To learn what  the EU as a single state might be like, take up this highly readable mix of history, analysis and warning. You'll never feel the same about Belgium again.

Paul Belien is a Master of Law, with specialisations in European and Social Security law (University of Ghent) and has a PhD in International Studies (University of Buckingham). He is the founder of the Brussels-based Centre for the New Europe (CNE) and worked for two decades as a professional journalist. His articles have appeared in various British and American publications, such as the Spectator, the Wall Street Journal and many others.

"Consistently shocking . . . Mr. Belien tells the story of this slimy dynasty with great gusto. . . lays out this bill of indictment very powerfully."  John O'Sullivan, American Spectator

"If you plan to read only one book on foreign affairs in the next year, you should read Paul Belien’s A Throne in Brussels" Thomas Fleming, Chronicles

"Paul Belien's thesis is very important. . . This is an excellent example of how history should be written."  Merrie Cave, Salisbury Review

"An important, relevant, well-researched and an extremely readable book which should be paid attention to by the citizens of EU member states, and those wishing to understand how such a monstrosity came into being." Free Republic

"A fascinating account of the lives of the six Belgian kings . . . this thoroughly researched book explains how Belgian political attitudes have infected those of the European Union."  Philip Claeys MEP, Right Now

Advance Praise for A Throne in Brussels

"It must never be forgotten that the Belgian royal family are Coburgs, with all the larger-than-life qualities and failings that Coburgs possess. This is a fascinating book after which I cannot but see the Belgian royal family in a completely new light."  Hugo Vickers

"Paul Belien writes with ease and erudition, and mounts an unanswerable case not only against the Belgian state, but also against the European institutions that have been built on it and infected with its incurable disease. The warning contained in this book is simple: hold fast to your national identity, you nations of Europe, or else dissolve, like Belgium, in a sea of
corruption and despair."  Roger Scruton

"The Belgianisation of Europe is a real threat."  Lord (William) Rees-Mogg

"Paul Belien has produced an eye-popping chronicle, far removed from the official version of history promoted by the Belgian state. It is meticulously researched and delightfully readable. If you read only one book on Belgium, make it this one."  Daniel Hannan MEP

"Most Belgians are in favour of the EU constitution, but dissenters have a new mouthpiece. A controversial new book by Paul Belien, a Belgian academic and journalist, argues that there are strong, unflattering similarities between the country and the EU. In A Throne in Brussels: Britain, the Saxe-Coburgs and the Belgianisation of Europe, Dr Belien’s thesis is that both are artificial constructs: failed attempts to construct a nation out of different peoples with different languages and traditions. Both Brussels and the EU, he argues, are doomed to fail and ultimately break-up. Such subversive ideas have made him something of a hero among British Eurosceptics, but have placed him beyond the pale in his native Belgium . . ." The Economist

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