In my experience, the answer is No...
..
I definitely know couples that fit this description -- the woman who often seems irritated with her guy -- but I kind of doubt that the guy loves to be treated that way. ..
..
I don't know anything about the book you're referring to, but I think it's true that some (a lot?) of relationships devolve into the wife-being-mean pattern, but the question is why does the woman do that and why does the guy put up with it, and not why does he love it? (because he doesn't) ..
..
Or that's my sense, anyway. but "why men sometimes put up with bitches" is a less grabby title for a book...

I do think there's a little bit of truth to it...But maybe more in the sense that men want a challenge, something they have to work for...So when they encounter a woman who is a little bit demanding, their competitive drive kicks in, and they want to get her...
..
Of course, I do think this can backfire, because a lot of times, guys get fed up with a woman being a complete bitch...It's interesting, though..-- I'll have to check out that book!..

The plain and simple answer, at least from my point of view, is NO...
..
(I usually like to elaborate, but there is really little more I can add to this.)..

I love women who are independent and assertive; a women who knows what she wants and goes after it...However, I don't want a mean bitch...There's a difference between being aggressive steadfast and bitching and moaning when you don't get your way (or when you're angry)...I like the former, not so much the latter...

I am not sure that is true...Have you read that book?..I think the book was not so much based on guys loving women who are irritable and cranky...I think it was more along the lines of guys love women who know what they want and won't stop until they get it...Women who will not take sh*t from others and will not put up with people putting them down...And in that sense, I do think guys like that because they want someone who has drive and knows what they want...