If you want to manipulate/read .doc files, you can just take the time and learn the format and manipulate the .doc file manually. You can get it at the MSDN page linking to the format-specification (PDF file).
I admit, it's quite a bit of reading to do, but if you're looking to create software to manipulate/read files, you should have the relevant underlying knowledge to back it all up.
Same goes for the pdf format (which is an open format, and as such specifications should be easy to find).
