I'm not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for but on the last couple Actionscript 3 projects I've developed I have used a combination of PureMVC and AMFPHP with great results. I am a PHP novice but know AS3 well. Hooking up a proxy to a AMFPHP service was pretty straightforward and using commands and notifications worked well.
I felt that PHP Objects, Patterns and Practice by Zandstra (ISBN13: 978-1430229254, ISBN10: 143022925X) was one of the most effective books when it came to upping my game in PHP. It covers patterns pretty extensively with some real world examples and clear explanations.
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.