If you have Windows running right now, run Ubuntu in a virtual machine through VirtualBox to see if you like Linux in the first place. Linux systems have a huge learning curve and any software you're used to using on Windows will more than likely not be available on Linux and will have inferior open source alternatives.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.