you can always start with Akzidenz Grotesk

Does this typeface get less attractive the more I look at it?

It's not the typeface that changes, it's you.

There are no books that describe the history of Akzidenz Grotesk in detail, even Berthold’s books about the foundry and its type gives AG almost no notice. Your best bet is to dig through the old Typophile threads (use google) and locate the two existing long threads on the subject.

Many thanks chaps,

I had pretty much come to that conclusion myself, I do know of some other sources so I will gives those a go, regards its attractiveness, I think its purposeful, scientific, clear and modern, yep I pretty much hate it as well.
still, researchers cant be chooser's

Your best bet is to dig through the old Typophile threads (use google) and locate the two existing long threads on the subject.

these are linked to in the wiki entry, that is why i linked only there.

...I do know of some other sources...

Please share them in the existing threads—the more we can find out the better.

Some info here:

http://eyemagazine.com/print/feature.php?id=143&fid=613

[EDIT] And also here:

http://typeforyou.blogspot.com/2007/03/akzidenz-grotesk.html