Today's Tolkien Times

Week 070 - First-Age Friday: Immortal Flowers

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, having a strong perfume isn’t such a good idea. Join The Man of the West as he accompanies Beren and Lúthien to the very gates of Angban...

Week 070 - Third Age Thursday: More Quenya!

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West is in his happy place, reading the longest piece of Quenya text in The Lord of the Rings as we look at Galadriel’s Lament. Lear...

Week 070 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Tulk Smash

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for a look at the captain of the Valar football team, Tulkas Astaldo. And because we don’t get to ignore him, Melkor also m...

Week 070 - Tolkien Tuesday: Sufferers Please Note

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Professor laments the process of getting work done at the house, and dispenses great medical advice to his cousin, and to us as well, on this week...

Week 070 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Greatly At Variance

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he tries to untangle the knots Tolkien gave us in The History of Galadriel and Celeborn as he begins his look at Lothlóri...

Week 069 - Silmarillion Saturday: All Roads Are Now Bent

25 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a busy time for cartographers after the Downfall of Númenor, as we read about the aftermath of Atalantë in the last reading of the Akallabêt...

Week 069 - First-Age Friday: Fight With Thine Own Hand and Sword

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for a First Age Flashback in The Lay of Leithian as Fingolfin squares off against the mighty Morgoth, who would prefer to not...

Week 069 - Third Age Thursday: Sad and Sweet Was the Sound

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our journey through the songs and poems in The Lord of the Rings as we listen to Galadriel’s Song and her bittersweet memories of Eldama...

Week 069 - Word-nerd Wednesday: My Brother’s Office is So Much Nicer

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West in his continued effort to uncover more about the names of the Valar: in today’s episode, we chat with the Masters of Spiri...

Week 069 - Tolkien Tuesday: The Laughter of Ilúvatar

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tolkien presents two important stories from The Silmarillion 20 years before the book is published, as he explains in Letter 212 the tale of Míriel a...

Week 069 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Too Numerous and Valiant

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he ends his three-week look at the Dwarven kingdom of Khazad-dûm! From Galadriel’s far-sightedness and the innocence of...

Week 068 - Silmarillion Saturday: The Sky Reeled, and the Hills Slid

18 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Númenor pays the ultimate price for its pride and rebellion as Ar-Pharazôn suddenly discovers he’d rather not have immortality after all in this w...

Week 068 - First-Age Friday: In Love Must In Thy Dying Share

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The bestest good boy ever has some hard words for Beren before providing the best cosplay advice ever in another episode on The Lay of Leithian on thi...

Week 068 - Third Age Thursday: An Old Man in a Battered Hat

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Once again, no this isn’t a title describing The Man of the West: he doesn’t really wear hats. But Gandalf did, and Frodo missed him — so he san...

Week 068 - Word-nerd Wednesday: The World-Artificer and The Forester

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for another Word-nerd Wednesday: this week’s contestants on ‘Who’s Got the Coolest Name?’ are the Valar of Smithing a...

Week 068 - Tolkien Tuesday: Of Equal Lineage

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time to remind those Elves that they’re no better than us as The Man of the West looks at Letter 212 where Tolkien “adds a few lines” abo...

Week 068 - Middle-earth Map Monday: Given Without Love

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he starts Week 68 of Today’s Tolkien Times with another Middle-earth Map Monday in Moria as we look at more of the names...

Week 067 - Silmarillion Saturday: Repent For a Season

11 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we spend just a few more weeks in the Akallabêth, watching the train wreck of Númenor. Ar-Pharazôn ignores the signs an...

Week 067 - First-Age Friday: Yet Were Its Making Good

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Beren bids farewell to everything and prepares to meet his fate alone — but Lúthien has other ideas. Join The Man of the West for another series in...

Week 067 - Third Age Thursday: As Light As Leaf of Linden-Tree

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Legolas sings a sad song about Nimrodel as The Man of the West continues his walk through the poems and songs in The Lord of the Rings in Series 9’s...

Week 067 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Ainur We Have Heard on High

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West begins an 8-week look at the names of the Valar and Maiar — beginning with those exact words, actually. Learn more about your a...

Week 067 - Tolkien Tuesday: At the End of the Sixth Age

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tolkien tells us that the Fall of Barad-dûr was about 6000 years ago as The Man of the West continues his run through the Letters on Tolkien Tuesdays...

Week 067 - Middle-earth Map Monday: And I Mean ALL the Languages

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he begins Series 9 of the TTT with another Middle-earth Map Monday momentarily on the meritorious megalopolis of Moria. Ok...

Week 066 - I Smell Goblin Strong

21 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he tries not to imagine what goblin smells like, let alone *strong* goblin. We wrap up this special holiday celebration by...

Week 066 - Properly Drawn Bears

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re struggling with drawing bears, Karhu might be able to help you. It’s time for the first part of the long 1932 Letter From Father Christm...

Week 066 - Paksu and Valkotukka

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

North Polar Bear’s cousins — ‘fat’ and ‘white-hair’ — show up and immediately cause the sort of turmoil you’d imagine NPB’s relative...

Week 066 - Polar Bears Get Whooping Cough?

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for another Letter From Father Christmas as we learn of North Polar Bear’s illness and recovery — and his not-thought-thr...

Week 066 - My Real Name is Karhu

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for more adventures with Father Christmas and North Polar Bear as Father Christmas is grateful for time zones around the world. Learn more...

Week 066 - Don’t Be a Silly Bear

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for a special holiday celebration as we read through Letters From Father Christmas so that we can all realize what inadequate...

Week 065 - Silmarillion Saturday: That Land is Defiled

30 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as Ar-Pharazôn is drunk on Sauron’s words, while Amandil makes audacious but hopeless plans, as we conclude Series 8 of th...

Week 065 - First-Age Friday: She’s Also a Triage Nurse

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lúthien shows great promise for a career in the medical profession, as she heals Beren — and he thanks her by leaving her in the paws of the best d...

Week 065 - Third Age Thursday: The World Was Young

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, it was actually younger than The Man of the West. Join him for a deeper dive into the Song of Durin as we look at the rich history found in these...

Week 065 - Word-nerd Wednesday: But What About Middle-earth?

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for The Man of the West to finally do some word-nerdery on the name of everyone’s favorite place: Middle-earth itself. Learn more about ...

Week 065 - Tolkien Tuesday: Wizards, the Bayeux Tapestry, and Pterodactyls?

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for a strange mix in the second half of Letter 211 as Tolkien answers a barrage of questions as only the Professor can. Learn...

Week 065 - Middle-earth Map Monday: No One Hinders Oromë

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we move on from Eregion to study the longest mountain range in this part of Middle-earth: the Hithaeglir, or Misty Mountai...

Week 064 - Silmarillion Saturday: Torment and Great Wickedness

23 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Just a normal weekend for The Man of the West? Thankfully, no — just a summary of what’s happening as Ar-Pharazôn opens the latest infrastructure...

Week 064 - First-Age Friday: Frail of Purpose, Light of Love?

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You underestimate Lúthien at your own peril. Join The Man of the West for more from the Lay of Leithian as Huan once again proves to be the bestest b...

Week 064 - Third Age Thursday: Full of Light and Splendour

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Company finally leave Rivendell and so do we, as we join Gimli for a rich history lesson in this week’s Third Age Thursday poetry reading. Learn...

Week 064 - Word-nerd Wednesday: Chief Heavenly Lights

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for this deep dive into the names of four Faithful men in the darkest time of Númenor in this week’s Word-nerd Wednesday. ...

Week 064 - Tolkien Tuesday: All the Answers

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

No, this is not a claim of knowledge on behalf of The Man of the West; in fact, it’s a quote from one of Tolkien’s letters that we’ll look at to...

Week 064 - Middle-earth Map Monday: The Skill and Fame of Fëanor

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Man of the West’s advice to Celebrimbor: never meet your heroes. Today’s Middle-earth Map Monday follows up on last week as we continue our ti...

Week 063 - Silmarillion Saturday: He Brooded Darkly

16 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he notes the company that Ar-Pharazôn keeps in brooding darkly, while the mightiest King of Númenor decides it’s time ...

Week 063 - First-Age Friday: Oaths are For Breaking of the Heart

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The folk of Nargothrond finally come to their senses about the Sons of Fëanor, while Beren decides it’s time to part ways with Lúthien, in this we...

Week 063 - Third Age Thursday: And Voices at the Door

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have time for one more poem in Rivendell before leaving with the Company, this time a nostalgic and sorrowful set of verses from Bilbo as he sits b...

Week 063 - Word-nerd Wednesday: No More Elvish, and I Mean It

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West for some word-nerdery on several of the names of Númenóreans from last week’s reading in the Akallabêth for Silmarillion...

Week 063 - Tolkien Tuesday: Ridiculous Indeed

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Once again, a title that could be speaking about The Man of the West but, thankfully, is instead referring to ‘silly alterations’ made for an adap...

Week 063 - Middle-earth Map Monday: In Happier Days

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as we venture south of Rivendell for this week’s Middle-earth Map Monday, with the Company arriving at “the country that ...

Week 062 - Silmarillion Saturday: … And the Havens of Andúnië Were Forlorn

09 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as a series of Númenórean kings play a game of “who can be worse than their fathers?”. Except for Tar-Palantír, of cou...

Week 062 - First-Age Friday: Flower of Elfland Ever Fair!

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for yet more beautiful poetry on First Age Friday as we continue our read through the Lay of Leithian: this time, Draugluin dies, Sauron s...

Week 062 - Third Age Thursday: Boromir Belays Begging Boon

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

That’s it, no more alliteration today. The Man of the West reads a bit more poetry in The Lord of the Rings, starting with a verse that stymied Men ...

Week 062 - Word-nerd Wednesday: How Many Names Can a Valley Have?

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join The Man of the West as he looks at far more names for Rivendell than you might have expected, and reads a bit about Tolkien’s adventures in the...

Week 062 - Tolkien Tuesday: Far More Unsatisfactory

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Now I’m just feeling called out; fortunately, those words of Tolkien’s were reserved for the storyline of Zimmerman in Letter #210 as we continue ...

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 ...