The OpenGL and DirectX are somewhat similar yet very different. OpenGL is built with idea to forward developers desire to render to devices if available. DirectX is built with idea to make rendering capabilities of devices available for developer.
SDL is probably the most used cross-platform library for that kinda thing.
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.