You can write better about a place you've seen for yourself. You don't have to have been there - I've sure written about places I've never seen - but it does help.

I'm a social caterpillar. I am not a social butterfly

Many things are possible. Few things are certain.

A horsefly can't do a horse much real damage, but it can drive it wild anyhow.

People you don't like are pigheaded. Your friends are stubborn, or hold to their purpose.

People were as they were, not not as he wished them to be.

Plausible development, building from what we know about what really did go on, and a whacking good story… Surrounded by Enemies delivers on both, big-time. So hold on to your hats, folks. You’re in for quite a ride.