I would start with a nikon d80 They go for 300 ish on ebay without the lens you really need something 10mp that is an SLR (can change lens) Great mid range camera that you can grow into and have for a long time. Here is one on ebay....I would buy a used one on ebay, buying a camera new is not the best idea for your first real camera. You can save hundreds buying a used camera in good condition cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D80-Body-only-10-2-Me....
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.