I would strongly consider looking into MVC and implementing the system as described in the sample NerdDinner website. If you use Linq to SQL or ADO.NET Entity Framework you get the domain layer for free as well as an ORM. This takes care of all data access and makes querying and filtering your domain objects a breeze.
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.