If I were you, I would just pre-process the Xml (maybe reading it node by node with a XmlReader ) and read it in a more hierarchical structure. That would make it easier to search for elements and also to sort or filter them without losing their relationship (which is now based solely on their order).
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.