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Millions of Souls: The Philip Riteman Story
Philip Riteman is a Holocaust survivor whose mission is to educate today’s youth on the atrocities committed against millions of Jews and Gentiles by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime during World War II. From the Pruzhany Ghetto, Poland, Philip and his family were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. There, his entire family was exterminated. As the lone survivor, Philip was used as a forced labourer in five concentration camps, where he witnessed the cruellest treatments that can be inflicted on human beings: degradation, dehumanization, starvation, hard labour, daily beatings, torture, and deliberate, cold-blooded murder.
Millions of Souls is told in three parts. First is Philip’s account of life in his hometown and as an eyewitness to the struggle for survival in the concentration camps. Second is the story of Philip’s exodus to Newfoundland after the war, where he discovered that there was still some humanity left in the world. Third is the story of Philip Riteman today, and his commitment to spreading his message: “Hate destroys people, communities, and countries. Love binds us all together and makes a better world.”
Philip Riteman’s story was recorded by Mireille Baulu-MacWillie during a series of interviews at Philip’s home in Nova Scotia, Canada.
#1 on the Chronicle Herald (Nova Scotia) Bestseller List (January 9, 2011)
World French-language rights sold to Bayard Canada
Millions of Souls is told in three parts. First is Philip’s account of life in his hometown and as an eyewitness to the struggle for survival in the concentration camps. Second is the story of Philip’s exodus to Newfoundland after the war, where he discovered that there was still some humanity left in the world. Third is the story of Philip Riteman today, and his commitment to spreading his message: “Hate destroys people, communities, and countries. Love binds us all together and makes a better world.”
Philip Riteman’s story was recorded by Mireille Baulu-MacWillie during a series of interviews at Philip’s home in Nova Scotia, Canada.
#1 on the Chronicle Herald (Nova Scotia) Bestseller List (January 9, 2011)
World French-language rights sold to Bayard Canada
174 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 10, 2018
I first met Philip Riteman in 2004 when he came to speak at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada. It was one of the most memorable and important moments of my life. Years later, Philip sat down to record his story and I received a published copy from my mother. Although Mireille Baulu-MacWillie's writing style was at times, odd, that is really secondary to the more important role of Philip's time in the camps and his immigration to the Newfoundland colony after the war. Even all these years later, it is a moving account.
May 23, 2011
I really wanted to give this book five stars because I've heard Dr.Riteman speak a number of times as well as having spoken to him in casual settings and he is such a strong and inspirational person who has an incredibly powerful and horrifying life story to tell. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of how Baulu-MacWillie translated the memories of Dr. Riteman onto paper which is why it is four stars. I do believe that this is a book which should be read by everyone who is unable to hear him speak as it serves as a strong reminder of the atrocities of the holocaust and why the event must never be forgotten.
May 20, 2019
Millions of Souls: The Philip Riteman Story by Philip Riteman & Mireille Baulu-MacWillie
This is a story that should be read by everyone. I always learn something about the Holocaust every time I read a memoir / historical fiction. There is always something to learn about that time and things we should know as a world, to never let something like the Holocaust happen again.
This is a story that should be read by everyone. I always learn something about the Holocaust every time I read a memoir / historical fiction. There is always something to learn about that time and things we should know as a world, to never let something like the Holocaust happen again.
May 13, 2019
A fantastic book - possibly the best Holocaust memoir I’ve read yet. It’s too bad it wasn’t edited better and that the cover is so dated. I’m left wanting to know more; it was so fascinating and I’ve never read such a detailed, graphic account before.
June 22, 2011
This book had a very powerful message. I found the story to be very touching and moving. However, I absolutely hated Mireille Baulu-MacWillie's writing style.
March 12, 2025
Written by a man from Halifax who went to my synagogue. Wonderful human being. He is now passed, but he used to share his story in person all around Nova Scotia, and the world. His tale of surviving the holocaust, including the most famous death camp auschwitz lives on through this memoir.
April 18, 2015
This book was hard to read in places, painfully so, but I couldn't NOT read it! I think the best way to tell you about this book is to write here what is on the back cover.
“Philip Riteman is a Holocaust survivor whose mission is to educate today’s youth on the atrocities committed against millions of Jews and Gentiles by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime during World War II. From the Pruzhany Ghetto, Poland, Philip and his family were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. There, his entire family was exterminated. As the lone survivor, Philip was used as a forced labourer in five concentration camps, where he witnessed the cruellest treatments that can be inflicted on human beings: degradation, dehumanization, starvation, hard labour, daily beatings, torture, and deliberate, cold-blooded murder.
Millions of Souls is told in three parts. First is Philip’s account of life in his hometown and as an eyewitness to the struggle for survival in the concentration camps. Second is the story of Philip’s exodus to Newfoundland after the war, where he discovered that there was still some humanity left in the world. Third is the story of Philip Riteman today, and his commitment to spreading his message: “Hate destroys people, communities, and countries. Love binds us all together and makes a better world.”
Philip Riteman’s story was recorded by Mireille Baulu-MacWillie during a series of interviews at Philip’s home in Nova Scotia, Canada.”
“I speak for millions and millions who cannot speak.” – Philip Riteman
Thank you Mr. Riteman!
“Philip Riteman is a Holocaust survivor whose mission is to educate today’s youth on the atrocities committed against millions of Jews and Gentiles by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime during World War II. From the Pruzhany Ghetto, Poland, Philip and his family were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. There, his entire family was exterminated. As the lone survivor, Philip was used as a forced labourer in five concentration camps, where he witnessed the cruellest treatments that can be inflicted on human beings: degradation, dehumanization, starvation, hard labour, daily beatings, torture, and deliberate, cold-blooded murder.
Millions of Souls is told in three parts. First is Philip’s account of life in his hometown and as an eyewitness to the struggle for survival in the concentration camps. Second is the story of Philip’s exodus to Newfoundland after the war, where he discovered that there was still some humanity left in the world. Third is the story of Philip Riteman today, and his commitment to spreading his message: “Hate destroys people, communities, and countries. Love binds us all together and makes a better world.”
Philip Riteman’s story was recorded by Mireille Baulu-MacWillie during a series of interviews at Philip’s home in Nova Scotia, Canada.”
“I speak for millions and millions who cannot speak.” – Philip Riteman
Thank you Mr. Riteman!
May 7, 2015
I've read multiple accounts of tbe atrocities committed during the Holocaust. They are never easy to read, and often rather disturbing - but they must be read so that the events and history are not lost and so that the millions of people simply eradicated are given some thought.
The recollections of Philip Reitman are not necessarily more or less disturbing that others that experienced the nazi death camps, but they are his particular recollections and they add realism, personality, and voices to the history books.
Being a Newfoundlander, I am incredibly proud to read that the generous nature of the generations prior helped Philip to move on with his life. I would love to say heal, but clearly Philip was not healed, which is ot surprising given his experiences!
Remember that Love is better than Hate.
The recollections of Philip Reitman are not necessarily more or less disturbing that others that experienced the nazi death camps, but they are his particular recollections and they add realism, personality, and voices to the history books.
Being a Newfoundlander, I am incredibly proud to read that the generous nature of the generations prior helped Philip to move on with his life. I would love to say heal, but clearly Philip was not healed, which is ot surprising given his experiences!
Remember that Love is better than Hate.
December 29, 2013
Amazing story. Amazing man. My parents are good friends with Phil and his wife. My father met Phil why he was stationed in Newfoundland during the Korean War. Phil and his wife welcomed my dad into their home for dinner many times while he was there. They have remained friends ever since. I have met him many times, but did not know the whole story until I read the book. I'm so glad he decided to share his story and would recommend it to everyone.
November 16, 2017
Loved the story glad I read this. From having to lie about his age and occupation to survive as a prisoner of the Nazis. To his life after where he decided to become a self made man. That he told his story to students lest we never forget so we do not repeat the past.
July 13, 2019
“Millions of Souls” is a Holocaust memoir. It was recommended to me by someone who said it is one of the more horrific Holocaust books that they have read. They were right. “Millions of Souls” does not pad the story of the Holocaust. It dives right in and give you everything. Nothing is sugar coated and there is not a single moment where something good happens. The story is very straight and goes from moment to moment. It is a fast read, which is good because it is an emotionally difficult book. It is real, and that is the most troubling part of the book, that these things did happen.
I liked that this was non-fiction. It did not make a story, but instead told what happens. It told of being starved, of babies being removed from trains and beaten to death so that they wouldn’t have to be taken care of, building full of dead bodies because the crematoriums could not dispose of corpses fast enough, mass graves to make quick disposal of bodies, unnecessary deaths and murders, constant degradation and humiliation, not to mention an unfathomable amount of other things that were all part of daily life. It is wonder how anyone managed to survive.
After the Holocaust Riteman is placed in a Red Cross camp and receives letters from family members inviting him to Canada. This is where I saw scars from the Holocaust appear. Riteman did not trust the letters. He doubted everyone and showed fear that people were going to harm him and/or take him away. Although it is not a visible scar, it is clear that the Holocaust caused lasting effects. These effects are still felt today.
Riteman now works to educate youth. He visits schools and community places to teach young people about the Holocaust. There is a huge gap in the generations and young people see the Holocaust as being part of the long ago past and no longer relevant. I had a young teen say, “that was over a hundred years ago, so why should I care?”. That hurt. Their perception of time is inaccurate and anything that is not happening right now does not seem to matter. It is important to know that past so that we can create a wonderful future.
I liked that this was non-fiction. It did not make a story, but instead told what happens. It told of being starved, of babies being removed from trains and beaten to death so that they wouldn’t have to be taken care of, building full of dead bodies because the crematoriums could not dispose of corpses fast enough, mass graves to make quick disposal of bodies, unnecessary deaths and murders, constant degradation and humiliation, not to mention an unfathomable amount of other things that were all part of daily life. It is wonder how anyone managed to survive.
After the Holocaust Riteman is placed in a Red Cross camp and receives letters from family members inviting him to Canada. This is where I saw scars from the Holocaust appear. Riteman did not trust the letters. He doubted everyone and showed fear that people were going to harm him and/or take him away. Although it is not a visible scar, it is clear that the Holocaust caused lasting effects. These effects are still felt today.
Riteman now works to educate youth. He visits schools and community places to teach young people about the Holocaust. There is a huge gap in the generations and young people see the Holocaust as being part of the long ago past and no longer relevant. I had a young teen say, “that was over a hundred years ago, so why should I care?”. That hurt. Their perception of time is inaccurate and anything that is not happening right now does not seem to matter. It is important to know that past so that we can create a wonderful future.
August 28, 2022
Unfathomable and heartbreaking account of this mans experience of narrowly surviving WWII as a jewish prisoner. Like most Holocaust literature, it is hard to read at times and the shock and disbelief we experience reading it comes nowhere close to the lifelong trauma it has left those who were forced to live it.
In stark contrast, his recollection of his time spent in Newfoundland after being liberated was so heartwarming. The hard work he put in to start his life over and the amazing kindness and generosity shown to him by Newfoundlanders really helped give this man the love and appreciation he deserved.
In stark contrast, his recollection of his time spent in Newfoundland after being liberated was so heartwarming. The hard work he put in to start his life over and the amazing kindness and generosity shown to him by Newfoundlanders really helped give this man the love and appreciation he deserved.
October 4, 2018
Its heart wrenching what this man went through, witnessed and survived. I was glad to read that he didn't have to wait as long as some waited to find a new country after the war and that he was well accepted once he arrived in NFLD and then Canada.
The ordeal this man went through was horrific. The book was written like a list of one event after the other which didn't seem like the best way to portray such a life experience.
The ordeal this man went through was horrific. The book was written like a list of one event after the other which didn't seem like the best way to portray such a life experience.
December 31, 2021
I liked the 3 part structure of the book. The struggle for survival in concentration camps is horrific. Rebuilding life after the end of the war is both bittersweet and hopeful. Finding the courage to publically spread the history of and lessons learned from the holocaust is so important, especially now as the remaining holocaust survivors are passing on.
July 28, 2024
This is well written and accurate and the truth that our Prime minister at that time was antisemetic and would not allow Jewish people into Canada needs to be known. Newfoundland was not part of Canada then and saved some Jewish people.
December 20, 2018
Truly a remarkable story. Hard to read at certain parts, but it is so important to be educated in events such as the Holocaust.
March 17, 2020
A brutally honest account of what happened during his time in concentration camps. A heartbreaking story not easily forgotten.
April 26, 2020
The story was incredible but the writing style was rudimentry at best.
August 4, 2021
This reads like it was just a direct copy of an interview with Philip. I wish there had been more detail and that it would have been edited better.
April 13, 2023
This is the story of a Holocaust survivor.
December 17, 2023
about the halocaust
January 18, 2025
Gutting and unimaginable. I met this lovely author at a book signing. I had not heard of him before but I am so grateful to have spoken with him. He rolled up his sleeve and showed me his tattoo💔
July 13, 2025
Another one difficult to rate.
A compelling story of a survivor of the Holocaust and his life after being rescued.
A compelling story of a survivor of the Holocaust and his life after being rescued.
June 7, 2012
No matter how many books I read, or documentaries I watch, I will never be able to wrap my head around how this could happen. How people could willingly participate or turn a blind eye to what was happening right in front of them. What makes someone believe the systematic murder of anyone is acceptable, much less the development of efficient methodology. Yet, after all he has been through, Phillip found the courage to live again. More importantly, he learned to trust his fellow man again as well. Although the stories and names and connections of all of the people he met when he first started peddling became a little tedious, it was remarkable that he remembered each one and the realized the value they added to his life. I hope that people feel that way about me someday. When they sit down to tell their story, I have a small role to play in their happiness.
March 28, 2012
"A stirring account . . ." -- Bedford magazine
"Anybody who has heard Riteman speak, and thousands of schoolchildren and adults have, will recognize that the voice is his own and that he does, indeed, 'put a face on this part of history.'" -- The Telegram
"Anybody who has heard Riteman speak, and thousands of schoolchildren and adults have, will recognize that the voice is his own and that he does, indeed, 'put a face on this part of history.'" -- The Telegram
February 28, 2014
I had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman a couple of years ago,and the book is written in the same way as he speaks. He told me there were many things that he saw that were too horrific to put in the book-after reading it,I can't imagine what could be more awful! An amazing man!
October 11, 2012
Heart wrenching, but an incredible story of a Holocaust survivor. Vivid horror.
April 23, 2013
I am so pleased that Philip Riteman decided to share this heart wrenching story. I hope to hear him speak next week as he is coming to my community.
May 4, 2013
Wow!!
May 13, 2015
No matter how many times I hear these horrible stories, it's always so unfathomable to understand what so many people went through. Never forget.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews