You can use the PersistenceContext annotation to get a JPA EntityManager instance in your application. Using the EntityManager you can query the database (like showed here). Since you are using Roo the entityManagerFactory bean and transaction support should already be included in your bean configuration file.
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.