Paul F. State is a writer and editor. He is the author of the following books: Historical Dictionary of Brussels, Second Edition, A Brief History of the Netherlands, 2nd edition, A Brief History of Ireland, 2nd edition, A Brief History of France. He is author of “Nations of the World” database, providing key facts in approximately 40 categories, including government, economics, culture, history, and current events, for approximately 190 nations. He is also a copyeditor for major publishing houses and has been a translator from French and Dutch to English.