>Im not extremely familiar with automation- and none of the material I've read so far has been very comprehensive on the subject of use code to manipulate Word for example to do what I need it to do. Does anyone know of any great books on the subject? Or any resource material that might help.

I've never used a book before... Usually between a few examples in UT KB and and recording macros and looking at the code, you should be able to figure things out. Sorry, I can't be of more help.