You can try libcrafter . Seems very easy to use! The library is able to craft or decode packets of most common networks protocols, send them on the wire, capture them and match requests and replies.
You can use libcap http://wiki.wireshark.org/libpcap to capture packets. Libdnet can be a choice for packet forging http://libdnet.sourceforge.net.
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.