The Greater the Risk: The Improbable Rise of an Israeli International Business Leader and Peacemaker

Avi Shaked’s The Greater the Risk is a compelling memoir that blends family legacy, entrepreneurial ambition, and an unwavering pursuit of peace in the Middle East into an inspiring and deeply personal narrative. With crisp, conversational prose and well-structured chapters, Shaked invites readers to explore the origins of his values, the building of his fortune, and the profound risks he took, culminating in an astonishing, and real, billion-dollar offer to help broker peace between Israel and Hamas.

The book opens with a jaw-dropping account: in 2006, Shaked offered Hamas $1 billion: $100 million for a meeting with Israeli leadership, and the rest if they signed a peace agreement. This isn’t a gimmick; it’s the emotional and moral crux of the book. Shaked writes, “I will give Hamas $100 million if Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh will meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert—and another $900 million if they sign a peace agreement.” That offer frames the memoir as a powerful meditation on how wealth can, and should, be used for more than personal gain.

But before we reach that point, Shaked takes us through generations of his family’s trials and triumphs. From his great-grandfather Hershele Mendel’s superstore in Ukraine to his father’s laborious trucking life in Israel, Shaked presents a rich, intergenerational saga of grit, resilience, and entrepreneurship. Particularly poignant is his depiction of his uncle Moshe, a well digger who traded unpaid wages for barren land in Netanya, a gamble that turned into a real estate fortune.

What sets this memoir apart is its blend of emotional reflection and business savvy. Shaked doesn’t shy away from describing the hardships: his brush with polio as a baby, his military service during the Yom Kippur War, and the death of his beloved Uncle Moshe. These moments of vulnerability are balanced by anecdotes of entrepreneurial success, such as co-founding the online gambling giant 888 Casino.

The writing is clear and paced well, though occasionally the book leans into repetition, especially when emphasizing the values of persistence and hard work. Still, the life lessons are memorable, particularly his father’s advice: “Success is like a rabbit, it zigzags and hops away. If you don’t chase it, you’ll never catch it.” Shaked’s voice remains authentic and grounded, even when reflecting on millions earned daily.

Thematically, the book is about more than success; it’s about purpose. Shaked sees wealth as a tool for change, not a destination. His peace offer, though ultimately rejected, symbolizes the belief that individual action, even one as audacious as offering a billion dollars, can shift the course of history.

The Greater the Risk is a rare memoir that is both inspirational and instructive. It’s not only a personal journey, but also a blueprint for using success to create social impact. Whether you’re interested in business, history, or peace-building, this book offers a bold, thoughtful, and ultimately hopeful vision for the future.