http://sourceforge.net/projects/tpapro is a freeware tool we've used with great success for many years.
The already suggested tpapro will probably also do it, but I myself use TComport, which I consider slightly easier to use. It will has an event property onrxchar that triggers whenever a character arrives (and several options for other kinds of packets, including ASCII linediscipline).
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.