Here is my two-cents worth:

I'm obviously speaking without knowing much about this particular cat (and
each cat is an individual with different temperament, habits, likes and
dislikes, past experiences, etc., just like people), but the general
approach I'd take would be, in a word: positive reinforcement.

For instance, does your cat like to be gently "petted" in certain ways in
certain places? Perhaps likes to be gently petted on the cheeks, combed on
the side/back of neck and perhaps even under the chin? If not (yet) at
least gentle scraches on top of his head or maybe around the bridge of nose
causes him to blissfully close his eyes?

If you gradually incorporate lifting him up / holding him as part of these
enjoyable experiences, chances are he will grow to accept being
held/carried/handled, etc, - if not enjoy it.

(Some cats may never come to particularly enjoy being handled. Even in
those cases, I believe he is bound to grow to toloerate it - at least when
it is with you.)

I have used this general approach dealing with my own three cats I adopted
over the years with much success, who were all to varying degrees feral at
first. (One completely feral adult, the other two were what I'd describe as
semi-feral.)

If you were trying to find a quick way to "break" him of his current
reluctance to be held, however, I suspect you may not be very successful.
The whole point of this exercise is to do it gradually engough to gain his
trust and acceptance. He will need to slowly learn that only good things
are associated with being held, and nothing unpleasant ever happens. (He
might have had unpleasant experiences in the past, so you need to be extra
understanding.)

Just my two-cents worth. Hope this helps.

Akira
Pleasanton, CA
www.californiagull.com

Thank you for your input.  I'll will try what you suggested. I also thought
I might contact the previous owner and find out why exactly he doesn't
like to be held.

Also a good first step might be to lie on your back and hold him on
your stomach (while watching TV or something). He'll still know it's
you, but will feel more comfortable. If you can pull that off, then
holding's the next step.

Hi Regina,

Unfortunately, you've got a sweety who just doesn't like to be held.  Pooh
Bear, our sweet 13 year old calico has never liked to be held either.  Not
even as a kitten much.  The more she grew, the less she liked to be picked
up period.  You can't break that type of habit in a cat.  It would be like
getting them to bark!!

But, Pooh loves to be loved and loves skritches.  She butts open the
bathroom door to be loved on when you're in there sitting on the throne.
She's a wonder, loving kitty...  she just has her own purrrrsonality!!
,,,>^..^<,,,

I don't think so.  I have a 16 year old cat who used to sit on my knee.
Since the day I took him to be neutered 15 years ago he has never again sat
on my knee and dislikes being picked up.  He will however sit next to me
with his head on my lap and cuddle up as close as he can just won't sit on
my knee, how weird is that?