I love reading others' cat experiences.

There is a guy on Animal Planet that rehabilitates cats for people. There is one episode where he really fixes, a fraidy cat who is aggressive even! That one took time, but he did a good job. There is also an author who has written some books with stories on cat weirdness..Twisted Whiskers is one.
http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Whiske.../dp/0895947102
An interesting read, and she has others now.

http://animal.discovery.com/tv/my-cat-from-hell/
I've watched a few of these. I have mixed feelings about him.

I do think that cats more than dogs have risky gestation.
Cats need taurine (dogs make their own). So if the mother is lacking enough taurine for the kittens, they die at birth, or are even resorbed as fetuses! Some can be born with neuro problems, and Weez for example was the 2nd runt...and I do see she is not as "sharp" as Houdini.And I have always thought Weez couldn't see too well. She still rarely looks out windows and is full grown. Houdini's home, while outside, had great food and a caring human to provide for the pregnant mom cat. All of her cats (and she had MANY and they were splendid with wonderful fur and were very healthy looking.) So if a kitten is born and manages to survive but is taurine deficient? Well, it just won't be 100% normal IMO. Cats do tend to let fear overwhelm them, and when that happens, we have to step in and dilute that with training. But if the nervous system is faulty and broken, training is not going to be very successful IMO.
I praise all the time, when they are doing what I want. And I give a treat, when they are extra good. (like taking medicine, coming home from Vet, traveling in the car on vacation, etc.).
I really praised Weezie all the time when Houdini came when she was quiet and just watching him. She got the message...and is careful with him still. I am very careful when I pick a kitten. I choose temperament over appearance. Oreo was very depressed when we adopted her, for about 2 weeks. And all I heard from hubby--- "You picked a DUD, this time" !
Well, she came around and turned out to be the smartest cat ever, and loves HIM particularly and watching them together is amazing...esp outside. Even people walking by comment on them! When he is outside, she is with him always!