Today's Tolkien Times

Week 062 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Good Counsel and Wise Lore

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he extends his Middle-earth Map Monday visit to Rivendell by an extra week, to look at the role it played in the history o...

Week 061 - Silmarillion Saturday: The Zenith of Its Bliss

02 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

They just don’t know how good they have it, do they? Join The Man of the West as he watches the diminishing of the bliss of Westernesse in the next ...

Week 061 - First-Age Friday: Hungry Like the Wolf

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s all discord and rhyme as Sauron sends a mighty wolf to slay Beren, but Finrod does his thing instead and we all mourn the death of the First Ag...

Week 061 - Third Age Thursday: Beyond the Wide and Sundering Sea

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West, who’s extending his visit in Rivendell awhile, as he looks at a song that Bilbo describes only as “a song to Elbereth”...

Week 061 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Well, Isn’t That Special

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do Dana Carvey and the Flammifer of Westernesse have in common? Well, you’ll have to check out this week’s Word-nerd Wednesday to find out! L...

Week 061 - Tolkien Tuesday: Wholly Unacceptable Tampering

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While that could easily have been the Professor’s response to The Man of the West’s occasional irreverent jokes, it was just one of a dozen slams ...

Week 061 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Smells Like Elves

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for another Middle-earth Map Monday as we arrive at The Last Homely House, just in time for lunch — and a long talk about t...

Week 060 - Silmarillion Saturday: As Moths In a Light Too Strong

26 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Yearning becomes doubt, doubt becomes secret griping, and secret griping becomes open rebellion as the Men of Númenor begin the long walk to their Do...

Week 060 - First-Age Friday: Friendship That to Death Should Last

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The bestest boy ever speaks for the first time, to help Lúthien escape the clutches of Celegorm, an Elf with nearly as many red flags as his father. ...

Week 060 - Third Age Thursday: Tarried There From Errantry

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West finishes his reading and discussion of Bilbo’s cheeky poem about Eärendil in this week’s Third Age Thursday. Learn more about...

Week 060 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Beyond the West

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dive deep into several words from last week’s Silmarillion Saturday reading as The Man of the West explores the names of one mountain, two cities, a...

Week 060 - Tolkien Tuesday: The Last Thing that Aragorn Would Have Done

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eat Éowyn’s stew? No, but find you as The Man of the West continues to read Tolkien’s Letter 210, eviscerating the storyline for a proposed film ...

Week 060 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Tall and Fair

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for another week of Today’s Tolkien Times as he starts out with Middle-earth Map Monday and a return to the journey of Stri...

Week 059 - Silmarillion Saturday: All Is Now Forgot

19 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While an accurate representation of the state of The Man of the West’s mind most days, today’s episode title actually refers to the state of all t...

Week 059 - First-Age Friday: The Goodest of Good Boys

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time to step away from the sorrowful fate of Finrod in Sauron’s dungeons as we hang out with Celegorm and Curufin (boo!) long enough to meet ...

Week 059 - Third Age Thursday: A Merry Passenger, a Messenger, a Mariner

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he starts his study of Bilbo’s latest chart-topping single, The Song of Eärendil, and learns just how many versions of ...

Week 059 - Word-nerd Wednesday: How About Next-to-Last Instead?

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Arvedui finds out what his name really means, as The Man of the West looks at his name and other words from our Middle-earth Map Monday episode. Learn...

Week 059 - Tolkien Tuesday: But Can’t They Be Very Different?

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s finally time to begin our long look at Tolkien’s views on adaptation as we start Letter 210 and hear from Tom Shippey on the canons of narrat...

Week 059 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Four Oh Something

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins week 59 of Today’s Tolkien Times with a deep dive into the deep freeze of Forodwaith and Forochel on Middle-ea...

Week 058 - Silmarillion Saturday: Silver Flame in the Paths of the Sun

12 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West gets to read about… well, the Men of the West! The Edain are rewarded with wisdom, power, long life, and a new island home, in o...

Week 058 - First Age Friday: A Song of Staying

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West returns to the Lay of Leithian for another eight weeks in First Age Fridays, beginning with the epic song battle between Sauron an...

Week 058 - Third Age Thursday: Just a Bit of Nonsense

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who’s coming up with these episode titles? Today’s Third Age Thursday reading continues with poetry in The Lord of the Rings; this time, with Sam’...

Week 058 - Word-nerd Wednesday: She That Has Fallen

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West begins this series of Word-nerd Wednesdays with a look at several words from Akallabêth, including a few names for the island its...

Week 058 - Tolkien Tuesday: Hasty, Insensitive, and Impertinent

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While the Professor continues to make The Man of the West feel called out, the invectives here are meant for a guy by the name of Zimmerman. Tell us w...

Week 058 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Nesting Dolls of the North

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he kicks off a new 8-week series of Today’s Tolkien Times, starting with a return to a new fan favorite segment — get ...

Week 057 - Second Age Saturday: Whom I Prefer Above All Others

21 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West finishes his 24-part foray into the tragic tale of Aldarion and Erendis as Ancalimë marries, but not for love, and Erendis meets ...

Week 057 - Fandom Friday: Never Laugh At Live Dragons; Laugh With Green Dragon

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West welcomes TheOneRing.net’s own resident Green Dragon, as we chat about old Oscar parties and recent Amazon ones. Learn more about...

Week 057 - Third Age Thursday: The Long & Short Of It

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We complete our look at the Song of Beren and Lúthien as recited by Aragorn by first looking at what in the world ann-thennath means. Plus a reminder...

Week 057 - Word-nerd Wednesday: A Plethora of Place-names Perchance?

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he looks at a number of places named in Aragorn’s retelling of the Song of Beren and Lúthien. Bonus: we learn what Morg...

Week 057 - Tolkien Tuesday: Equal Obstinacy

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Once again, a title that could have something to do with The Man of the West, but does not. Today, we look at the importance of male friendships to To...

Week 057 - Middle-earth Map Monday: I Can Haz Palantir?

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he looks at the results of inequitable palantíri distribution amongst the kingdoms formerly known as Arnor. Learn more ab...

Week 056 - Second Age Saturday: The Root Of All Their Troubles

14 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Aldarion’s sure he’s identified the cause of his “disastrous marriage to Erendis” and changes the law so that it won’t happen to his daughte...

Week 056 - Fandom Friday: Airplane Facts are Not Like Tolkien Facts… or are they, Max?

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he welcomes Airplane Facts with Max to Fandom Friday to chat about his captivating content, and about his time at San Dieg...

Week 056 - Third Age Thursday: In the Forest Singing Sorrowless

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West tells a tale of the old days, as we look at Strider’s recitation of the tale of Tinúviel on the slopes of Weathertop. Learn mor...

Week 056 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Er is the Loneliest Number… of Hands

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for a deep dive into the names of one of the heroes of the First Age, Beren son of Barahir. Learn more about your ad choices....

Week 056 - Tolkien Tuesday: Blundering, Brusque, or Downright Rude

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While these words have been used of The Man of the West from time to time, it’s C.S. Lewis who needs to take heed this time, as we look at his views...

Week 056 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Filled With Evil Folk

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for another Middle-earth Map Monday, as he takes a closer look at Arnor’s second capital, Fornost. Also, Círdan makes anot...

Week 055 - Second Age Saturday: Enjoy It Before They Ruin It

07 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erendis offers strong words for her daughter in this week’s Second Age Saturday, as The Man of the West continues his readings through Aldarion and ...

Week 055 - Fandom Friday: The Tea Is Always Right

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West continues his Fandom Friday chats with content creators who attended San Diego ComicCon in July, as Kaitlyn from Tea With Tolkien ...

Week 055 - Third Age Thursday: Mirrored in His Silver Shield

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We can’t get enough of Gil-galad on Today’s Tolkien Times; in today’s episode, the Man of the West continues his look at the poetry of The Lord ...

Week 055 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Revered King

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he looks at the names of — well, this is awkward — The Man of the West, in a Word-nerd Wednesday on the many names of ...

Week 055 - Tolkien Tuesday: Holy Terror of Coteries

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s Tolkien Tuesday looks more closely at the kind of friends the Inklings were, along with a deep dive into C.S. Lewis’ view on the unoff...

Week 055 - Middle-earth Map Monday: His Chief City

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins another week of the TTT with Middle-earth Map Monday and a look at the original capital city of the Kingdom of A...

Week 054 - Second Age Saturday: Too Late, or Too Early

31 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A wizard may never be late, Frodo Baggins, but Aldarion apparently could be. Join The Man of the West for another reading in the Second Age tale of th...

Week 054 - Fandom Friday: Always Optimistic

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West is joined by The Tolkien Professor himself, Dr. Corey Olsen, for another chat about The Rings of Power and what we can be looking ...

Week 054 - Third Age Thursday: Totally Irrational Non-Sequiturs

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While this week’s title could describe most of The Man of the West’s ramblings, it’s actually a quote from Tom Shippey. Listen to find out more!...

Week 054 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Unto No Maner Wight

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If Chaucer is quoted in the title, you know the episode must be good. Join The Man of the West for some word-nerdery on not one, but two words in this...

Week 054 - Tolkien Tuesday: The Cause Rather Than the Result

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West continues in Humphrey Carpenter’s The Inklings, chasing down the fox that might still be there somewhere. Learn more about your ...

Week 054 - Middle-earth Map Monday: While Their Realm Lasted

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he kicks off another week of Today’s Tolkien Times with a map visit to Lindon and the Grey Havens. Learn more about your...

Week 053 - Second Age Saturday: Madman and Churl

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as King Meneldur finalizes his decision to hand the Sceptre to his son, and Erendis sees the choice as an attack by her estra...

Week 053 - Fandom Friday: The Middle Page

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West continues his SDCC focus for the rest of Series 7, welcoming Kelly @themiddlepage from Instagram to talk about her channel, and Th...

Week 053 - Third Age Thursday: A Mug of Beer Inside This Took

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is not a line in any of the three of Tolkien’s poems we’ll look at today. But if you think The Man of the West can avoid humming this tune, you co...

Week 053 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Hey Now, You’re an All Star

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West engages in a little star-gazing as he breaks down the names of the regions of the island of Númenor in this week’s Word-nerd We...

Week 053 - Tolkien Tuesday: I’m Not Accurate

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While today’s episode title could reflect The Man of the West on nearly any given day, this time it’s a self-deprecating quote from C.S. Lewis, as...

Week 053 - Middle-earth Map Monday: An Old Name… in an Older Language

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins another week of the TTT with a close look at the town not at all named for a soft, spreadable cheese. Learn more...

Week 052 - Second Age Saturday: Myself as a Tame Hound

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as Aldarion shares his unfiltered opinion with his father, King Meneldur — just as the king is about to make a major announ...

Week 052 - Fandom Friday: The Dwarf of the Year Returns

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West changes up Fandom Fridays for the rest of Series 7, with a focus on Tolkien content creators who were at San Diego ComicCon, getti...

Week 052 - Third Age Thursday: Tree-Tangled Middle-Lands

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as the hobbits encounter Noldorin Exiles in the Shire, singing a beautiful Hymn to Elbereth. We also wonder about Gildor’s ...

Week 052 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Snow White is Very Inadequate

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Look, I’m just saying what Tolkien says, okay? Sure, he means the translation of Fanuilos, and not the Disney princess, but maybe that’s true as w...

Week 052 - Tolkien Tuesday: Scant Resemblance

24 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West returns to Carpenter’s book on the Inklings, this time to seriously question the notion of Tolkien, Lewis, Williams, and Barfiel...

Week 052 - Middle-earth Map Monday: The Forefathers of the Edain

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins the week with a return to the new segment on Middle-earth Map Monday. Also, linguistic changes are unpredictable...

Week 051 - Second Age Saturday: Of What Worth Is Choice?

10 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time to return to our readings in Númenor as King Meneldur thinks through a no-win situation and makes a momentous decision regarding the futu...

Week 051 - Fandom Friday: It’s Complicated

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he welcomes Inklings scholar Sørina Higgins to Fandom Friday to talk about the Oddest Inkling, Charles Williams, and expl...

Week 051 - Third Age Thursday: Round the Next Corner

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our look at poetry and songs in The Lord of the Rings by taking a deep dive into one of Bilbo’s songs, set to a tune “as old as the hi...

Week 051 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Shout, Shout, Let It All Out

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for a closer look at the name of Gil-galad’s father… or, maybe his father, or maybe not. Where’s Maury Povich when you ...

Week 051 - Tolkien Tuesday: Your Laugh In My Heart Echoes

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We continue in our time in Humphrey Carpenter’s book, The Inklings, as we look more closely at the conflicted nature of Tolkien’s friendship with ...

Week 051 - Middle-earth Map Monday: The Memory of Many Injuries

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for another week of Today’s Tolkien Times as he returns to a new Monday segment looking at places in Middle-earth. This tim...

Week 050 - Second Age Saturday: Manwë Keep You Under the One

03 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West returns to the story of Aldarion and Erendis for another set of Second Age Saturdays. In today’s episode, we look over the shoul...

Week 050 - Fandom Friday: Because It Was About Time

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a TTT first, The Man of the West has a co-host: Sara Brown, the Shield-maiden of Rohan. Join them as they interview the man behind the Welsh transl...

Week 050 - Third Age Thursday: My Evening-Rest

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins a series of readings through the poetry and songs of The Lord of the Rings… by starting with a song from The H...

Week 050 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Scion of Kings

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for another return to Word-nerd Wednesday, with today’s episode looking closely at the several names of the last High King of the Eldar....

Week 050 - Tolkien Tuesday: We All Agree So

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West returns to Humphrey Carpenter’s book, The Inklings, for more on Tolkien and his circle of friends. Today, a closer look at the o...

Week 050 - Map Monday: The Land Was Rich and Kindly

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins a new series with a new Monday segment: Middle-earth Map Monday! In the first of this new segment, we learn the ...

Week 049 - Second Age Saturday: Steel Hard to Break

13 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as Aldarion all too briefly speaks with the daughter he abandoned years ago and coldly ignores her mother. Learn more about y...

Week 049 - First Age Friday: Master of Wolves

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Finrod and his faithful followers accompany Beren north, and come up with one possible way to get by the Master of Wolves himself. Learn more about yo...

Week 049 - Third Age Thursday: Even as Oromë the Great

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for the last of our Théoden Thursday specials as The Man of the West takes us through the King of Rohan’s finest moments. Learn more ab...

Week 049 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Golden-Haired Champion

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he takes a closer look at the names of his favorite Elf from the First Age, including one that might have just been a deri...

Week 049 - Tolkien Tuesday: Our Revered Hobbit-Ancestors

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for another few letters in the Revised and Expanded edition, this time as we accompany Professor Tolkien on a trip to Rotterdam for maggot...

Week 049 - Mailbag Monday: With Vigour, Please

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for the last week of Series 6 of Today’s Tolkien Times as he answers a question — okay, five questions — about the Dún...

Week 048 - Second Age Saturday: I Am Mistaken, It Seems

06 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for another heartbreaking episode in the tragic tale of Aldarion and Erendis as the King’s Heir finally returns home and meets the conse...

Week 048 - First Age Friday: Yours Ye May Break

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we meet the best Elf ever, Finrod Felagund, and find him in quite the conundrum. Also, thanks a lot Fëanor. Learn more ab...

Week 048 - Third Age Thursday: Maybe We Shall Cleave a Road

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for another inspirational passage on Théoden, King of Rohan as The Man of the West continues reading his favorite moments in the life of ...

Week 048 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Here We Come A-Wassailing

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for a dive into Old English as we look at some of the names and words from our Third Age Thursday readings about Théoden. Le...

Week 048 - Tolkien Tuesday: Stupidities and Vulgarities

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You know that Professor Tolkien never minced words; now, so does Zimmerman. The Man of the West talks about some letters Tolkien wrote revealing his t...

Week 048 - Mailbag Monday: Until the Rising of the Star

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he answers a question about inevitability, and speculates what might have happened to Turgon and the people of Gondolin ha...

Week 047 - Second Age Saturday: Breakers and Eaters

29 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The noisy thing known as The Man of the West reads another passage in the tale of Aldarion and Erendis, as — surprise! — Aldarion doesn’t make i...

Week 047 - First Age Friday: Terrible and Blasphemous

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some might say that describes The Man of the West, but thankfully Tolkien was speaking about the Oath of Fëanor and his sons, featured in this week’...

Week 047 - Third Age Thursday: It Is Not So Dark Here

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he spends the final three Third Age Thursdays of the series reading his favorite passages on Théoden, King of Rohan. Lear...

Week 047 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Friend, Enchantress, or Flower-daughter?

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for another exciting etymological excursion as The Man of the West looks at a name you’ve heard dozens of times and hopes to bring you s...

Week 047 - Tolkien Tuesday: Philological Harpies

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for another visit to The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien as we see Tolkien’s growing frustration with the work of translators and the lack of ...

Week 047 - Mailbag Monday: Very Unprolific

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of The West as he answers a question about Durin, Dwarven prophecy, and reincarnation with a deep dive into Tolkien’s early drafts. Lea...

Week 046 - Second Age Saturday: No Place For Such Joy

22 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Disappointment turns to bitterness in today’s reading of the story of Aldarion and Erendis. The king prefers the company of his sailors, and his wif...

Week 046 - First Age Friday: And Away, Away She Danced

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he continues reading the Lay of Leithian, as Lúthien gets clever and weaves her most powerful magic yet. Learn more about...

Week 046 - Third Age Thursday: Which Story, I Wonder

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wonder no more as The Man of the West finishes our time reading through A Long-Expected Party as Gandalf leaves Frodo with some vague advice. Learn mo...

Week 046 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Far Older and More Reverend

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

No, that title isn’t a description of The Man of the West. Join us for Word-nerd Wednesday as we take a closer look at the Shire-word that often jus...

Week 046 - Tolkien Tuesday: Bless the Little People!

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for Tolkien Tuesday as we dive deep into new content about The Silmarillion, Tolkien’s academic obligations, Middle-earth maps, book sal...

Week 046 - Mailbag Monday: Excuse Me, Sur

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he fails to answer a question for which there is no answer, then speculates what happens after an extended time-out. Learn...

Week 045 - Second Age Saturday: A Man Long-sighted

15 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for another reading in How Not to Build a Successful Marriage, as the sometimes-happy couple welcome their daughter, Ancalimë...

Week 045 - First Age Friday: She Wanted a Treehouse…

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When she was a kid, sure. Thingol continues his efforts to defeat Denethor as Best Father in the Legendarium in our next reading in The Lay of Leithia...

Week 045 - Third Age Thursday: Fiddlesticks!

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Watch as Otho twirls his villainous mustache and laments how he might have gotten away with it if it weren’t for you meddling kids. Or something lik...