You're correct, Attributes execute before the action in question, so Authenticate should most certainly execute first and, if the user is not authenticated, the Action code never executes until after the user is redirected, authenticates and is redirected back to this action.
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.