--- product_id: 45748946 title: "Shot and a Ghost: A Year in the Brutal World of Professional Squash Paperback – March 1, 2012" brand: "james willstrop" price: "VT17381" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 9 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/45748946-shot-and-a-ghost-a-year-in-the-brutal-world store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # Shot and a Ghost: A Year in the Brutal World of Professional Squash Paperback – March 1, 2012 **Brand:** james willstrop **Price:** VT17381 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Shot and a Ghost: A Year in the Brutal World of Professional Squash Paperback – March 1, 2012 by james willstrop - **How much does it cost?** VT17381 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/45748946-shot-and-a-ghost-a-year-in-the-brutal-world) ## Best For - james willstrop enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted james willstrop brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Full description not available ## Images ![Shot and a Ghost: A Year in the Brutal World of Professional Squash Paperback – March 1, 2012 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fI0rtV1tL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, Highly recommended. Not only for Squash Players, recommended for everyone who enjoys great autobiographies. *by I***S on Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2012* I was really impressed with James' writing style and the way this book read, as it was not ghost written.. It's such a good read you're going to blow right through it. He covers a year of his life on the way to his #1 ranking. At the same time he hits a lot of flashbacks of his youth and how he arrived at where he is as a professional athlete.He tells a very honest story, going into detail about his obsessive compulsive habits, some of which we all have.. Anyone who has lost a parent to cancer can relate and appreciate James's relationship with his mother.I highly recommend this book, not only to squash players but to anyone who enjoys autobiographies by great writers.I would love to See James write a book on Squash Training & Fitness, amassing all he's learned throughout the years. I really think his honest approach to writing would result in a much needed book on the modern approach to squash training. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars Strange Journey into Sports Trials and Tribulations *by P***N on Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2015* Definitely a lot of interesting information and insight into the psychological perspective of a top athlete. In a lot of ways the book is more about how James "feels" about various events, circumstances, victories, and failures. At times, it's quite interesting to see just how much of an emotional rollercoaster his career is, full of the highs and lows of winning, losing, being injured, and being bored with inactivity.At other times there's an intense anger, indignation, and arrogance that is both repugnant, yet also honestly portrayed, which ironically is the one thing that seems humble about the author's life. I came away with a lot of mixed feelings about James Willstrop as a person and as a player. I'm undecided as to whether his work ethos is really as grand as he proclaims it to be and undecided if his anti-social behavior outside of the court is truly justified. Frankly, the fellow seems to demonstrate knowledge in a very narrow band of experience (just competitive squash) and his approach to life as a result is somewhat strange and alien to most people. I wanted to chide him for telling an amateur club player that he wouldn't play him unless he was paid to...but perhaps it's not that he was wrong to turn down an amateur, but that he was wrong to be so upset about it.There is a lot of discussion of his mother and her battle with cancer as well. This is a sensitive topic, but I'm not sure how much of its inclusion is really an honest appraisal of a squash career and how much it just feels like the sort of obligatory "tragedy" that Bob Costas would have milked relentlessly in regards to any Olympic athlete. Having also lost my mother to cancer (when I was 16), I find it hard to relate to the idea that it has vastly shaped my career or that it's a noteworthy aspect of who I am - but everyone interprets grief differently, so I can't completely fault Willstrop for bringing it up.I would have vastly preferred a great deal more information about the ins and outs of training for squash, what works and what doesn't work, what strategies to apply, what drills etc. But this is more of an autobiography than a squash training manual, so don't get your hopes up on becoming a better player as a result of the book. Instead take it more as a bizarre journey into a very harsh and often unpleasant sports career. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and eye-opening *by N***B on Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2012* Even if you're not a squash aficionado, this is a powerful and captivating book. James Willstrop has opened a part of his life for his readers, showing himself honestly - even if it means not showing himself in the best light. I empathised and cried with some of his struggles and heartbreak, was stunned at some of the "not so shiny" realities of being a professional sportsman (even if you're world no. 1), felt awe at the mind and body breaking schedule of the life he leads and had a few good belly laughs along the way. I found it interesting and inspiring and I enjoyed his writing style. Take my advice - just read it!!! --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/45748946-shot-and-a-ghost-a-year-in-the-brutal-world](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/45748946-shot-and-a-ghost-a-year-in-the-brutal-world) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-16*