I'd strongly recommend switching to the DOM functions over SimpleXML. I had an answer like this a while ago which wasn't very popular but I still stand by it. The DOM functions are just so much powerful: the extra verbosity is worth it.
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.