I've witnessed the same behavior. The implementation of the url renderer changed, but I'm not sure why it was done. What I've seen done to overcome this is creating a customer renderer.
A few approaches are possible, but building the links using WillPaginate::LinkRenderer is a clean solution.
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.