Originally written and published by a small Cornish publisher in 1978–Making Poldark was updated in 1987 when the BBC aired the series again.
When I heard that Acorn Media were going to make Poldark available in a double DVD set for the first time in the United States, it seemed like a good opportunity to take another look at the book to see if it was worth updating again.
This extended version is the result. With many more photographs, some from Winston’s own album of photos he took while with us on location for the second series (published with the kind permission of his son, Andrew Graham).
It covers both the professional and the personal.
The original was a light-hearted memoir of the making of the series.
The new edition includes an account of how and why the plan to make a third series ended so badly–a sad and disappointing tale–enlivened towards the end by The Poldark Appreciation Society’s valiant and colorful protest campaign.
It sketches in the intervening years which have seen our move to France, my diagnosis with Type Two diabetes and the publication of Delicious Dishes for Diabetics.
There are two versions of the new edition. One is a color-enhanced Collectors Edition, the other is a standard black & white version.
They are available via the website, CreateSpace:
The Black and White version $14.99
Colour version $24.99
Robin Ellis 
I look forward to getting the colour copy and reading about your journey from the Poldark days until now. It isn’t just as a Poldark fan but the inspiration that comes from seeing how disappointments and life challenges/changes shape a life full if new possibilties and joys. Sorry for blithering, being rather philosophical this weekend 🙂
Cheers from ohii
Still good looking Robin!!!! Ha, be proud.Very nice!!Hughs and congratulations, Chantal xxx.
Fantastic! Congratulations! I’m ordering today!
Great! Is this new edition also available at Primrosehill bookstore? Is it at the American market only or in England too?
Again, I’ve read both the original and the new versions, and I love all the additional information. Glad to see it being shared with more folks. Hopes and best wishes for another successful run.
Mine’s on the way — can’t wait to read it!!!
Got it! Can’t put it down 🙂
Hooray!
I am currently reading and kind of reliving watching the show. I have the DVD’s from few years ago , I guess I better look for the ones out this year. I think I only have season one.
Hi Karen–you will especially enjoy the last (12th) book–which Winston wrote aged 92–Bella Poldark.
Wow, that’s great, you’ve been busy. I have the first “Making Poldark” and was looking forward to the updated and now it is here.
Ah – The famous toothsome grin!
Recently reread the original; have the update on my “wish list”! Tried to get the old “Radio Times” from when Poldark first ran, but someone bid it up over $30! (Probably someone on this list…?) Looking forward to reading the new stories in your new book–in colour, of course! 🙂
Cheers & hugs!
I bought a used version of Making Poldark on Amazon as a present for my sister in February — she liked it so much she refused to send it to me — now I can order my own copy! Lovely.
I’ve got the older version but will buy the fresh one also.Always keep writing Robin ,you do that splendid.And Meredith’s photos are always very good too.
what v. good newer Robin dearest. the US tour was obviously heart warningly successful. ill writ e more fully.heaps of love to you both fromRog xx
Hello Rog–yes we had a whale of a time in the USofA!
Hope you are felling better now- I already have book one the beginning,and book two the middle, it’s only right that I have the end,looking forward to reading it all together. Best wishes to you both.
Loved it! Picked it up from Amazon just after your US book tour. Loved the series as well. It was my Masterpiece Theatre addiction on Sunday nights and made me rush out to get all of the books that were then in print. Now I need to get the rest that have been published in the intervening years. I would have loved a third series but only if done with the right people! 🙂
Dear Robin, I’m sending you my most heartfelt congratulations re new updated edition of “Making Poldark”. It’s your life’s work and great achievements.
It has been announced several days ago that Amazon.com is going to open retail outlets in Australia. The “Kangaroos” have been alloted zone 4 and DVDs purchased in England or United States are unsuitable here. While the whole Northern Hemisphere is watching new releases of “Poldark” series and “Downton Abbey” 2 ours is going to be released in December 2012 only. While for new “Poldark’ we might have to wait even until next year.
I’ve in hand the original edition of “Making Poldark” (1978) purchased at the local library. I intend by hook or by crook to obtain also the new updated edition. All I need is patience, patience…
Well, I shall be ordering the expaned, colour verion today! Hope you are now feeling much, much better after the ministrations of Meredith and her feline assistants! At first I misread it as Acorn Antiques (!) and then had visions of Mrs TeaTray (Julie Walters)struggling up the stairs with your tray. It must be my own hallucinations from the dreaded ‘Flu! Will have some chicken soup and will soon be on the mend, no doubt! Greetings from a rainy/sunny/hailblown/thundery UK (take your pick). In fact, rather like Poldark weather!
Be Well
Bonne Journee!
Kim Hammill – Bath and London
Get well soon, Rosalyn!
Lets have another book signing!
I shall definately order. I was always a big fan of Poldark. I bought the series on DVD finally and was happy to discover you on facebook. 🙂 You still look very handsome. You have aged like a fine wine.
I had the original “Making Poldark” and loved it. I’m now going to Amazon to buy the new edition!
I just ordered mine from there too.
How sad they never mad the 3rd one. I loved both seasons. Ross Poldark was and is my hero. I remember looking forward every Sunday to it on Masterpiece Theater and then some other channel ( I forget who) showed it a few years ago and I got excited to be able to see it again. I made my husband buy me the DVD’s a few years ago. I guess I will have to go get the new set. 🙂
Was looking at “The Twisted Sword” a while back– I was curious to see what happened to Ross and Demelza and their children. Thought that was the last novel Winston Graham had written.
Why doesn’t a television company carry on the saga of the Poldark family?
They could film in France as the books concern the Napoleonic wars.
Oh, great that all the Poldark stars are still in contact with each other.
Drama brings people together like a family.
I write about the unsuccessful attempt to make a third series in the memoir–Making Poldark.
Bella Poldark was the last of the series–No 12–and a remarkable achievement for Winston at the age of 92. It’s a good read. You are right though it would have been interesting to take the saga into another generation.
That is very sad. I am going have to re-read the series and continue with the “newer” books. It’s funny I read the books long before I saw the show and it was only after the first couple episodes that I realized that I had read the books. Still think they could do it…I would to watch more of Ross and Demelza.
Would you be willing if they decided to do it?
I’d be willing but they might think I’ve passed the sell by date–and I’m not fishing for compliments!!
No way! You are still the dashing Ross Poldark, maybe older but definately still hot and dashing. I would watch it for sure and I am sure I am not alone in that!!
Honestly, with all the popularity now regarding Downton Abbey, I think bringing back Poldark would be a very smart move, and would draw a huge audience. We can hope! –Cindy (aka “I’m So Pretty, I…” who posted above)
I agree with Cindy. And consider too those of use who loved Ross are also older. I was in my teens when I watched and swooned over Capt. Ross Poldark. I am now a young 56. LOL. And too while alot of swashbucklers in novels, movies and such are young “bucks” so to speak, I think the time is ripe for older, more mature swashbucklers. In fact.. I am currently at doing revisions on a novel where the ‘adventurers’ are not that young but still have that spark. Anyway my point is, you’re never too old and you sir are not past your sell by date, you are still in your prime. 🙂
Bravissimo, Karen Roongrojana, those are my sentiments and feelings too. In the “Poldark” series we watched and applauded the efforts of an almost penniless Capt. Ross Poldark returning from American Wars to a devastated “Nampara”. His father dead. His girl promised to his cousin. Slowly we watched this courageous gentleman rise and achieve quite a lot. Now if only some TV producers would produce “Poldark” series 3 and 4, we more mature viewers would enjoy following this same Capt. Ross Poldark becoming a very prosperous Cornishman. A mine owner. A banker. A ship builder. MP for Truro and a special Envoy of British Government to observe the Peninsular Wars in Spain. He also becomes an Observer in other politically sensitive places in Europe. In the end he’s bestowed and reluctanly accepts a Title – a Baronetcy. All this can be beautifully achieved by Mr. Robin Ellis. No one would have the panache to carry it off…
It is simply, Robin Ellis IS Capt.Ross Poldark. Sorry Robin but its’ true. No one can ever replace you as Ross. Could be 99 and still I am very sure be a very sexy and effective Ross Poldark. Speaking of old people I am for some reason reminded was her name Aunt Agatha Poldark who lived with the Warleggans?
Oh, Robin, how ever can you say such a thing? “Passed sell by date?” Not possible! Don’t you feel that the late Graham Winston created Ross Poldark’s role for you alone without realizing it? Well, I do… each time I watch both series or refresh my memory rereading the books. Unforgettable…
No one else can play Ross better then you Robin!
Come on and let’s go fishing(lol).
Serious, fetch someone of BBC-ITV with a big budjet they will take you for the roll otherwise they are dumb.
By the way do you still have the nice leader jacket of Poldark?
That jacket disappeared from the BBC’s costume store at some point between the two series. I sorely missed it in the second series.
Thank you for the nice answer dear Robin, pity that the jacket is missing it looked comfortable to wear for sure when you where horse riding.
I totally agree with Odette.
Dear Karen, thank you! It’s most encouraging to write a comment. If only someone in TV industry would think about this subject or would find time to read late Winston Graham’s 12 volumes of “Poldark” saga all would be well…
Perhaps I am the only fan to say that I did not like the series when it first came out. I was 17 when I watched the first episode and that was it for me. I found the first episode boring (sorry). I rediscovered Poldark when I found one of the books in the library earlier this year. I enjoyed the book so I took another look at the TV series and became a fan.
At least it’s a honest comment.A book still gives more details and history.
Still the Poldark series brilliant acting of the cast.
I had some favorite actors of that serie Robin (ofcourse), McNeill (Donald Douglas),Jud Painter, George Warleggan(Ralph Bates),Richard Gibson(Geoffrey Charles Poldark), Eileen Way (Agatha Poldark).
I liked the scenes of the miners, the life of the common people in historic Cornwall.
How they sufferd and tried to stay alive with a little food, while the rich had the balls…Same like the French revolution, people got fed up of the hunger and starving in the gutters so they took over the palace.Example :it took till after Napoleon Ist, before 80 % of the inventory was back in the Louvre & Versailles (it was all in a round circle by the common people in the houses).
The Poldark saga there was still enough inspiration for a other 10 years of books even now when the original writer passed away it can be done with a other writer.
When the cells lack insulin they become starved and since there is
no other source of energy apart from the fats, they
get used up. Although, banning sweets altogether may not be
necessary. Myth: Diabetics are more susceptible to the common cold and other diseases than others.
CD of talking book?
We are thinking about it.