Derive your controllers from a base controller. Then move your method creating common view data into the OnActionExecuting/OnActionExecuted override in that base controller.
I would use ASP.NET membership and just check state and get info from the page context methods in the masterpage. Makes it simple!
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.