Yes, it's possible for a person, but there are millions more across a very long time span who've been far more affected by the spoken or written word. Religious teachings and texts for example have had very profound effects on entire civilizations. Actually, it's a bit ironic you have to use words to ask the question, 'eh wot?
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.