A string in C# is always UTF-16, there is no way to "convert" it. The encoding is irrelevant as long as you manipulate the string in memory, it only matters if you write the string to a stream (file, memory stream, network stream...).
Check the Jon Skeet answer to this other question: UTF-16 to UTF-8 conversion (for scripting in Windows).
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.