Usually, you can install the new OS and it will ask you during the installation to put your original OS CD in the drive for authentication, so if you have your Vista CD, you should be OK without actually installing Vista.
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.