While reading book 4 I was suddenly struck that I’m not sure how long has passed in the “in world” timeline since the start of book 1 or other set starting point in the Third Age. Looking around I can’t see a timeline for the series. I’m assuming there has to be one about somewhere?  I can find some that cover the publishing of the books and one that covers events in the first two books (more TV related) but nothing that covers the whole series.  Ideally I’m after something that’s very high level and spoiler free like the Star Wars timeline. 

http://www.stevenac.net/wot/wotchron.htm

Thank you for that link. 

Anytime.

Looking at that site I have to say I’m now in shock. I wasn’t aware the events of this series were so compressed, I was sure the timeline between the start of Book 1 and the start of book 4 was a few years. Will have to take this mentally into account as I read further. 

Well, two times (I think there are no more cases) even Robert Jordan sensed a longer timeline, but these (very brief) occasions (inner monologues/thoughts) are just very minor or rather insignificant errors.

It's really interesting that many readers (especially 'readers' of audio books) have the same reaction ("I’m now in shock. I wasn’t aware the events of this series were so compressed"), but Jordan always tells us almost directly the timeline.

Oh, and good luck on your journey!