Unfortunately there's no standard way to do that, althougg C++0x (1x?) promises to do that. Until then, you properly assumed that a solution can be found in boost, however, the library you're searching for is Boost. Filesystem .
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.