Source material for good fiction

I regularly read biographical and historical accounts.  I'm looking for source material about situations and personalities that I can use in my fiction.  I just finished a long article that was better than any history book I've ever read.

Lee Sandlin wrote this article describing the causes, experiences, and attitudes around World War II.  I think Lee is male, though I'm not entirely sure.  Whatever.  He or she has clearly done a great deal of research and critical thinking.  I think I better understand the realities of total war now; the berserker rage and the fey resignation.

Beautiful and powerful.  If you are a writer of fiction then you should read it.  Or if you are interested in WWII.