You have to use IXR_Base64(data) to convert the data to an actual data object, and not just a string with base64 content.
I encountered exactly the same issue, here the snippet I use to manage post attachments while synchronizing posts accrosss different instances of wordpress.
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.