The correct way to handle this is using different class for view model, attach empty entity to the context and assign real values per property (or let AutoMapper to handle this scenario) as @Darin suggested in the comment.
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.