Why people recommend it
Saudi Arabia by David Commins is a comprehensive modern history detailing the political, social, and religious developments of the kingdom. On the podcast Conversations with Tyler, during an episode titled David Commins on Saudi Arabia, Wahhabism, and the Future of the Gulf States, which aired on September 17, 2025, host Tyler Cowen discussed the work at length with the author. At the very beginning of the interview, Tyler Cowen brought up David Commins's new book, sharing that he had enjoyed reading it very much and had learned a great deal from its contents. Toward the end of the episode, before moving on to his final question, Tyler Cowen plugged the recent book again, reminding his listeners of the title, Saudi Arabia: A Modern History by David Commins. He reiterated how much he had personally enjoyed reading it and emphasized the vast amount of knowledge he gained from studying the historical analysis presented within its pages. Through these remarks, the host signaled to his audience that the publication serves as an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complex historical context of the Gulf region, the rise of Wahhabism, and the intricate geopolitical dynamics shaping Saudi Arabia today.
Who recommended it
- Tyler Cowen Recommended
Tyler Cowen — 2 mentions
“He has a new book out which I enjoyed very much and learned a lot from. It's called Saudi Arabia, a modern history.”
“Before my last question, let me just plug your recent book again, Saudi Arabia, a modern history by David Cummings. I enjoyed it very much. Learned a great deal from it.”