Today's Tolkien Times

Week 117 - Silmarillion Saturday: And Yet Unvaliant

02 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West — to whom this episode’s title does not refer… usually — as we read the climax of the War of Wrath, and Morgoth final...

Week 117 - Friendship Friday: I Am Lonely

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

No, not me — I’m fine; it’s Pippin you should worry about. Join The Man of the West as we examine Merry & Pippin’s friendship during their tim...

Week 117 - Third Age Thursday: It Is Difficult to Keep Awake Here

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Look, I’m trying to keep things exciting, but… oh, that wasn’t about the show. Join The Man of the West as we conclude our study of the Elves of...

Week 117 - Word-nerd Wednesday: His Children’s Joy

29 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as this week’s linguistic deep dive includes a look at Estel, and a reminder of the Old English inspiration behind the begi...

Week 117 - Tolkien Tuesday: Petty Fencing

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he discovers Petty Fencing isn’t what you build when you just want to get even with your neighbor, and Tolkien gives a r...

Week 117 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Just a Few More Little Steps

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, Gollum, sure. Join The Man of the West as we continue our journey with Frodo and Sam, climbing the Stairs of Cirith Ungol. Are you sure there is...

Week 116 - Silmarillion Saturday: Glittering and Bright

25 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Clearly not The Man of the West, today’s title describes the sight of Eärendil’s ship, Vingilot, as it sails into the heavens — freeing the Elv...

Week 116 - Friendship Friday: Brush Up My Toes

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as Merry acknowledges he has some work to do to catch up to Pippin as we continue our (now) four-episode look at their friend...

Week 116 - Third Age Thursday: Long It Endured

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we begin a two-part look at the Elves of Rivendell: this time featuring the tra-la-lally Elves. Learn more about your ad c...

Week 116 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Not One Star; All the Stars

22 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Break out your Quenya and Sindarin dictionaries as The Man of the West does his usual mid-week deep dive into the names of some familiar places. Learn...

Week 116 - Tolkien Tuesday: Never Mind the Critics

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As though Tolkien ever took them too seriously to begin with. Join The Man of the West as he looks at two letters closing out 1962, including how a ne...

Week 116 - Middle-earth Map Monday: A Shapeless Fear

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he continues his anti-bucket list of places to visit in Middle-earth with a trip through history to view the city known bo...

Week 115 - Silmarillion Saturday: And His Prayer Was Granted

18 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as Eärendil wanders the lonely streets of Tirion, and Eönwë has a sense of dramatic timing. Learn more about your ad choic...

Week 115 - Friendship Friday: Good Old Merry!

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we begin a look at another friendship in the legendarium: everyone’s favorite troublemakers, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Per...

Week 115 - Third Age Thursday: That What Should Be Shall Be

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Galadriel takes the high road when faced with a no-win scenario, as The Man of the West completes a three-episode look at the Elves of Lórien. Learn ...

Week 115 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Any Excuse At All, Really

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he finds a reason to read a line from Galadriel’s Lament because… well, see above. Also: which of these words is not l...

Week 115 - Tolkien Tuesday: Blow Me Up

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Three short letters in the Revised and Expanded edition provide the usual combination of insight, wit, and kindness that characterize Tolkien’s lett...

Week 115 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Corpse Candles and Carne Asada?

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we continue our itinerary of Places No One Wants to Visit: this time, looking at the lovely and refreshing Morgul Vale. Le...

Week 114 - Silmarillion Saturday: Move Their Hearts to Pity

11 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve been building up to this for a few series now, and it’s finally time to begin Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath. Learn more ab...

Week 114 - Friendship Friday: Not Yet Anyway

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we wrap up our four-episode look at the friendship of Frodo and Sam, from certain death on the slopes of Mount Doom, to th...

Week 114 - Third Age Thursday: An Island Amid Many Perils

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our look at the Elves of Lórien as the Fellowship encounter Haldir and make their way towards Caras Galadhon itself. Learn more about you...

Week 114 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Steep Streets

08 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we look at a few words from our visit to the darkness on Middle-earth Map Monday… and visit a golden river for a palate ...

Week 114 - Tolkien Tuesday: With Tears As I Wrote

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We reach the second half of Letter 241 as Tolkien gives his Aunt Jane (and us) the story behind his work, Leaf by Niggle. Learn more about your ad cho...

Week 114 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Despair… Postponed

06 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we continue our travel journeys to only the worst places, this time to the Black Gate itself. Learn more about your ad cho...

Week 113 - Silmarillion Saturday: The Fairest of All the Children of the World

04 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As if I need to tell you that today’s episode title has nothing whatsoever to do with The Man of the West. We conclude the tragic chapter Of the Rui...

Week 113 - Friendship Friday: As Our Strength Lessens

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as the friendship of Frodo and Sam grows stronger even in the most challenging circumstances. Learn more about your ad choice...

Week 113 - Third Age Thursday: Valiant and Wise

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Clearly not referring to The Man of the West, today’s episode title actually speaks of Amroth, the King of Lórien, as we move west from Mirkwood to...

Week 113 - Word-nerd Wednesday: On Top of Old Wet Head

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s Word-nerd Wednesday looks at several words from our Silmarillion Saturday readings, some of which are more noble sounding than others. Learn...

Week 113 - Tolkien Tuesday: Now I Want a Grilled Cheese

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we begin another of the Professor’s letters to his Aunt Jane Neave: today, it’s all about the Welsh! Learn more about ...

Week 113 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Diseased Beyond All Healing

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

No, really, it’s just a mild cold… oh, the text? That’s a different story. Join The Man of the West as we follow Frodo and Sam’s miserable iti...

Week 112 - Silmarillion Saturday: With a Different Voice

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we continue in The Ruin of Doriath, standing beside Melian in her grief. Mablung meets his end fulfilling his duty, and Be...

Week 112 - Friendship Friday: I Was Serious

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we turn our 2-part look at Frodo and Sam’s friendship into four episodes instead: today, from Parth Galen to Cirith Ungo...

Week 112 - Third Age Thursday: Good People… Mostly

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Whether today’s title also applies to The Man of the West is up to you. Today, we take a look at the Elves of Mirkwood in (mostly) the Third Age, as...

Week 112 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Frings — Not What you Thought

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West takes a deep dive into a few words from last week’s Silmarillion Saturday, including one that, it turns out, is long overdue. Le...

Week 112 - Tolkien Tuesday: Peacocks are Out

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Well, yes — but I thought everyone knew that. Join The Man of the West as we look at another letter from the Professor to his illustrator on The Adv...

Week 112 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Always Creeping

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s stop on our journey is not on The Man of the West’s bucket list, nor is it likely on yours. Come visit the charming wetlands known as the ...

Week 111 - Silmarillion Saturday: Be Gone Unrequited

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West may be used to hearing those words, but today they’re meant for the Dwarves of Nogrod that are haughtily dismissed by Thingol, u...

Week 111 - Friendship Friday: Jump Down a Dragon’s Throat

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We begin an all-new thing for Fridays, as we study friendships in Middle-earth, starting with perhaps the best-known example with Frodo Baggins and Sa...

Week 111 - Third Age Thursday: He Dwells There Still

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we begin a look at more people in the Third Age; having done a deep dive into all the different Men for two series, it’s...

Week 111 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Not Your Average Garden Gnome

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for a Word-nerd Wednesday deep dive into Tolkien’s early name for the Elves we now know as the Noldor, and learn why he cou...

Week 111 - Tolkien Tuesday: I Am Not Satisfied with ‘Hobbits’

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for another out-of-context quote as episode title, as we begin another TTT series spending Tolkien Tuesdays in the Revised and Expanded ed...

Week 111 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Twisted Knot of Hills

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins Series 15 of Today’s Tolkien Times with a Middle-earth Map Monday on the bleak hills of the Emyn Muil. Learn m...

Week 110 - Silmarillion Saturday: All Things Crooked

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Húrin’s anger leads him to Doriath, where he throws jewelry at the King and finds himself gently reminded of the truth by Melian. Learn more about ...

Week 110 - First Age Friday: She Was Not Conquered

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we begin our time in Of the Ruin of Doriath, watching as Húrin is all-too-briefly reunited with Morwen before his heart t...

Week 110 - Third Age Thursday: Riders Tall and Fair

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We finish our look at Men of the Third Age as The Man of the West reviews the history of the Éothéod, their steadfast alliance with Gondor, and thei...

Week 110 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Surf’s Up!

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for another — this time more thorough — look at the name of Gondor’s hottest surf spot, Belfalas, along with other plac...

Week 110 - Tolkien Tuesday: Insoluble Metrical Problems

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tolkien admits to a bit of poetic masochism in a letter to his aunt Jane, as The Man of the West continues his look through the Revised and Expanded e...

Week 110 - Middle-earth Map Monday: The End of Gondor

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we reach the far shores and conclude our 21-week journey through the regions of Gondor. Learn more about your ad choices. ...

Week 109 - Silmarillion Saturday: The First Evil

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we accompany a now-free Húrin from Angband to his homelands and then on as he looks for mercy from Turgon. Learn more abo...

Week 109 - First Age Friday: You Lie

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Not you, sorry — Morgoth. At least that’s Húrin’s opinion as he continues his defiance of the Dark Lord in this week’s First Age Friday. Lear...

Week 109 - Third Age Thursday: A Bulwark of Gondor

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our study of the Men of Middle-earth, this time looking at the ancestors of the Rohirrim, known early on as the Northmen. Learn more about...

Week 109 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Ló and Behold

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he looks at the etymology of a few more of the rivers and towns in Gondor, continuing our journey west through the land. L...

Week 109 - Tolkien Tuesday: The ‘Fan Mail’ Keeps On Coming In

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

And now you know the title isn’t a reference to The Man of the West! Join Alan as he begins a two-part look at another letter Tolkien wrote to his a...

Week 109 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Angbor the Fearless

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he continues his journey through Gondor, looking at Lamedon, the Morthond Vale, and the uniquely-named ridge that separate...

Week 108 - Silmarillion Saturday: Hardly Better Than Orcs

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Famously not what The Man of the West says about people who don’t listen to the PPP or TTT. Instead, it’s Húrin’s opinion of the Men new to his...

Week 108 - First Age Friday: Time That Yet Lay Hidden

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we finish Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and begin to pull all the strings together to lead us to Eärendil and the War of Wrath. Lea...

Week 108 - Third Age Thursday: Middle Man, Not Middle Management

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone can be a mid-level supervisor; it takes someone special to be a Middle Man — or does it? Join The Man of the West as he takes a closer look a...

Week 108 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Let x Be the Number of Rivers in a Land

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we visit yet another land named solely after the number of rivers within it on this week’s Word-nerd Wednesday! Learn mo...

Week 108 - Tolkien Tuesday: At Least as Capacious as Mine

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The size of your waste paper basket doesn’t really matter; after all, you know you’re not throwing away a letter from Tolkien, even if it is long ...

Week 108 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Independent ‘Traditions’

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West in his journeys…um, west… through the southern fiefs of Gondor, as he looks more closely at the home of Imrahil known as ...

Week 107 - Silmarillion Saturday: Bereft of Their Power and Glory

31 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Some might say it’s a tragedy; others might say it’s about time. We look at the aftermath of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and begin to tie this story to...

Week 107 - First Age Friday: Aurë entuluva! Day Shall Come Again!

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Battle of Unnumbered Tears lives up to its name in spectacular fashion as Fingon meets his gruesome end and the Men of Dor-lómin lay down their l...

Week 107 - Third Age Thursday: Fierce Folk When Roused

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West finishes his long look at the Men of Darkness with the Dunlendings, a group of Men that might be better called Middle Men gone wro...

Week 107 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Better Late Than… Wandering?

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he finishes off the last of the Five Rivers of Lebennin before discovering what Imrahil and Pippin have in common.  Lea...

Week 107 - Tolkien Tuesday: I Feel Inclined to Tell Him So

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We’re sure you do, Professor — and we hope you did! Join The Man of the West as the Professor calls himself — accurately — a natural niggler. ...

Week 107 - Middle-earth Map Monday: About That Beachfront Property…

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for a look at Pelargir throughout the ages, before we move into Belfalas and the realm of the Prince of Dol Amroth. Learn mor...

Week 106 - Silmarillion Saturday: Hope Was Renewed

24 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Granted, only to be smashed under the feet of Uldor and his sons, but it was still renewed. Join The Man of the West for another reading from the Batt...

Week 106 - First Age Friday: “and Morgoth trembled…”

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he brings the Nirnaeth Arnoediad to First Age Fridays as well; the quicker to get through it, I suppose. Learn more about...

Week 106 - Third Age Thursday: A People Apart

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for an honest look at the folk known as the Dunlendings, so join The Man of the West as he goes back to the arrival of the Atani in Beleri...

Week 106 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Calling Count von Count

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for an unexpected grammar lesson as we explore the names of the five rivers of Lebennin. Or four of them, at least. Learn mor...

Week 106 - Tolkien Tuesday: Her Dragon is Absurd

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When an artist fails to meet Tolkien’s standards, it’s time to call in Pauline Baynes! Join The Man of the West as we revisit the Letters on Tolki...

Week 106 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Five Swift Streams

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he continues his journeys in southern Gondor, moving into the green fields of Lebennin where the people are hardy and nume...

Week 105 - Silmarillion Saturday: Utúlie’n Aurë!

17 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

And The Man of the West answered crying “Auta i lómë! The night is passing!” Or maybe that was the army of Fingon when they heard the trumpet of...

Week 105 - First Age Friday: Felt Old Age Creep Upon Him

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West is wondering who’s behind these episode titles. Tuor leads the refugees of Gondolin to safety before deciding it’s time to sai...

Week 105 - Third Age Thursday: You Shall Be Summoned Once Again

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps this is a reference to jury duty for The Man of the West. Or perhaps it’s part of Isildur’s curse on the Men of the Mountains, as we conti...

Week 105 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Mistakes Were Likely to Be Made

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West is far, far too familiar with the truth of today’s title, which is actually Tolkien’s explanation for some of the place names ...

Week 105 - Tolkien Tuesday: I Loathe It

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we have to carefully dissect and analyze Professor Tolkien’s words to really understand what he’s saying. Or not at al...

Week 105 - Middle-earth Map Monday: The Weed is Better Than I Thought

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Good heavens, no — not that weed: athelas, of course. It’s also a quote from Ioreth, not The Man of the West — who is here to take you up into t...

Week 104 - Silmarillion Saturday: Less Aid Than Should Have Been

10 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as Fëanor’s foolish oath bears unpleasant fruit more than 500 years later as we begin our reading about the Nirnaeth Arnoe...

Week 104 - First Age Friday: Both Fell to Ruin

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

While it is true that The Man of the West isn’t what he used to be, I’d hardly use ‘fell to ruin’. No, that’s just a Balrog of Morgoth and o...

Week 104 - Third Age Thursday: Black Sails Bellying in the Breeze

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our look at the Men of Darkness in the Third Age as The Man of the West concludes his time studying the Corsairs of Umbar. Learn more abou...

Week 104 - Word-nerd Wednesday: A Little Tomfoolery

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for some different word-nerdery, this time on some English-sounding names that aren’t especially English. Learn more about ...

Week 104 - Tolkien Tuesday: Heraldic Overtones

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our look at Tolkien’s 1961 letter to his Aunt Jane, we find an argument for why a word like ‘argent’ is beautiful even before it is u...

Week 104 - Middle-earth Map Monday: The Tour of Gondor Continues

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins the 14th Series of Today’s Tolkien Times with a look at the region of South Ithilien. Learn more about your ad...

Week 103 - Rude Little Errand Boy

20 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, that’s The Man of the West. But NPB means that to refer to Ilbereth, the secretary for Father Christmas, who writes the largest portion of this...

Week 103 - One of the Cleverest Elves

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Father Christmas wishes Tolkien a speedy recovery, and explains that he’s already giving away ‘second editions’ of The Hobbit just three months ...

Week 103 - A Letter Worth Hearing

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for the 1936 letter as Father Christmas introduces us to a new member of Team North Pole, and Polar Bear takes a very long ba...

Week 103 - Quite a Nasty Outbreak

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s 1935, and Father Christmas grows concerned about the goblins, expecting trouble with them soon — but hey, elvish magic sparkler spears should...

Week 103 - Frightful Mischief

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While The Man of the West is sometimes guilty of such trouble, today’s title refers to guests at the North Pole in 1934: Polar Bear’s young cousin...

Week 103 - I Enjoyed it Immensely!

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for our holiday tradition of reading from Letters From Father Christmas, this time starting in 1933 as Polar Bear continues his goblin-sma...

Week 102 - Silmarillion Saturday: Great in Strength Both of Mind and Body

06 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

No, today’s title… oh, you know the joke by now. Join The Man of the West as we conclude our time in Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fing...

Week 102 - First Age Friday: A Light Was in His Face as the Light of Heaven

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just like yesterday, today’s title still isn’t a reference to The Man of the West — though it’s a bit more obvious this time. No, today’s th...

Week 102 - Third Age Thursday: Enamored of Evil Knowledge

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

No, I promise today’s title isn’t a reference to The Man of the West. Instead, it’s time to take a look at two more groups of the Men of Darknes...

Week 102 - Word-nerd Wednesday: And Now for Something Completely Different

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We step away from the First Age to do a very deep dive on a single word from our Middle-earth Map Monday discussion, and learn more about trees as a b...

Week 102 - Tolkien Tuesday: Other and Duller Things

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins a look at another letter from Tolkien to his Aunt Jane; turns out sorting through old poetry is better than the ...

Week 102 - Middle-earth Map Monday: How Long Have I Been Asleep?

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I’d say about two days, if episodes of Today’s Tolkien Times are anything to go by. Join The Man of the West as he begins the last week of Series ...

Week 101 - Silmarillion Saturday: At Least They Had Window Seats

29 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he spends a year in Gondolin with the brothers Húrin and Huor, only to get left at the airport in the middle of the night...

Week 101 - First Age Friday: Word of the Woes Without

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tuor finally brings his message to Turgon; the King doesn’t take his advice, but does allow him to marry his daughter, as we shift chapters in our s...

Week 101 - Third Age Thursday: Like a Glitter of Stars

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for the third episode on the Haradrim, as we look at the actions of the Southrons in The War of the Ring in another of our de...

Week 101 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Ugly Shaggy Hair, Son of Ugly Beard

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

No, this isn’t The Man of the West saying his son needs a haircut; today’s Word-nerd Wednesday looks at the Sindarin names of some of the new arri...