The Apache Portable Runtime supports sockets, and it is cross platform.
I've found a simple library, which provides implementation of networking, but it is for C++. (C++ Socket Class for Windows). You can look at it's implementation of working with sockets, or just use it (there are examples of simple client and server).
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.