How do I parse a large XML file using Java?

For large documents (though I wouldn't call your's large) I'd use StAX .

256Kb is a pretty small file nowadays: yesterday I was working with a 45Gb file which is a factor of 200,000 larger!

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.