Today's Tolkien Times

The Man of the West brings back some right goodliness of speechraft in this week’s Word-nerd Wednesday as he explores the Shire and its farthings — Boo, Norman Conquest! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West is not a don, but may or may not be pedantic. But one pedantic don had thoughts about the formidable task of translating The Lord of the Rings. Also, a new book is published! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Alan as he revels in being younger than Círdan, at least. The week begins with a look at the oldest of the Elves still in Middle-earth, and another look at elvish facial hair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West wraps up Week 15 by joining famous stalker Finrod Felagund as he watches a group of strangers until they fall asleep. Also, a hint at the darkness in Men’s past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Man of the West as he welcomes fellow Tolkien YouTuber Jess of the Shire to week 15’s Fandom Friday. You may know her better as Part Time Hobbit; and if you don’t know her, stop and fix that! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West continues his visit to Bree as Gandalf and the hobbits catch up with Barliman Butterbur. Also: Barliman’s shocked face. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Man of the West as he looks at the etymology of the words ‘king’ and ‘master’ for week 15’s Word-nerd Wednesday. Also, Barliman keeps on using that word: does it mean what he thinks it means? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Tolkien Tuesday, the Man of the West discovers that Professor Tolkien gave the same advice — only before the book was, you know, published. Also, Sam Gamgee gets a wonderful gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West begins week 15 by answering a speculative mailbag question about Beren’s greedy little hands. Also, a brief glance at Morgoth and Ungoliant’s ill-advised first date. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West wraps up this week’s TTT with a powerful reading of The Faithful Stone, a story about a Drúg who pours some of his strength into his craftsmanship. This time, no one dies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long-time friend of the podcast, and member of the Fellowship of the Co-hosts, Shaun “Don’t Call Me Shawn” Gunner joins The Man of the West to talk about his role in the Society, the 50th Oxonmoot and the state of the Tolkien fandom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West shifts gears dramatically: moving from three episodes on crucial marriages between Elves and Men to Barliman and the troubles in Bree. Nob is still waiting for his appointment with an HR manager. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We look at a ‘word’ whose meaning is pretty clear to begin with, but has taken a few hits (ugh) thanks to pop culture: pipe-weed. The Man of the West speculates about Merry & Pippin-branded gummies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West finally gets to that first adaptation he’s been talking about for a few weeks now, and only has time to read some of Tolkien’s inevitable criticisms. One wonders what he’d have thought if he didn’t work on the scripts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Or, for our friends across the pond, ‘Maths Are Hard’. The Man of the West begins this week with a question: how many Nazgûl does it take to change a lightbulb on Amon Sûl? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You decide: does the title refer to the host, or to the subject of today’s discussion? The Man of the West dives into the history and nature one of the most unique peoples in Middle-earth and realizes he’d make a terrible statue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West welcomes acclaimed Tolkien artist Emily Austin to the TTT to talk inspiration and illustration. Also, we chat about her cover art for Shawn & Alan’s new book, Why We Love Middle-earth, and get a sneak peek at a work in progress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West wraps up a trilogy of episodes on Beren & Lúthien in the Third Age by visiting the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen in the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings. Aragorn may be abashed, but he’s also glad Elrond is no Thingol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Word-nerd Wednesday sets a new record as The Man of the West looks at 10 words from last week’s Silmarillion reading. Plus, bonus irony for Quenya words connected to language-slayer Thingol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West looks at Tolkien’s own typically humble reflections on his achievement, and quotes Tolkien to remind you all that The Lord of the Rings is still not a trilogy. Also, Tolkien receives a very nice first paycheck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West starts the week off by answering the question: why does everyone smile or laugh when they reject the Ring? The answer has nothing to do with the Ring’s recent success at open mic night at the comedy club. Also, the question that will not die: more draconic insight on treasure-moving! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West reads an entire chapter from The Silmarillion; it’s the shortest one about the tallest guy. Thingol marries up, as do Beren, Tuor, and Aragorn! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Man of the West welcomes podcaster and TikToker Kali to Today’s Tolkien Times to talk podcasting and community-building. And maybe to talk about KnewBettaDoBetta; no promises. Fandom Friday Guest Links:✨TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kali__cosplay✨Voices of Arda Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/PDqRa7mamJ ✨Voices of Arda Podcast: https://tr.ee/BjRIP64bqN ✨Tolkien with Friends...

Following up on last week’s Third Age Thursday, we join Strider and the hobbits on Weathertop once more. This time for the future king’s prose explanation of last week’s poetry recitation of the story of Beren and Lúthien. Also: a hint for next week is contained herein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Man of the West for this different take on a Word-nerd Wednesday as we look at the word - and the plant - hemlock. Or at least the plant Tolkien had in mind. Botany takes a bow on what nearly became another Tolkien Tuesday.📕Book mentioned in video: Flora of Middle-earth: Plants of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices