Starship Troopers Novel Review

Mini-review #2
This is the second of a series of short reviews for military SF and mecha SF.  You will not see a review of something I don't like as it isn't worth writing about in that case, but I will tell you what works for me and what doesn't about the stories I did like.  When I was writing my Exocrisis Blue stories and trying to find places to post about it or reviews of other mecha SF I was unable to find any, so I'm creating my own hub.  I'm going to start with the stuff I have read in the past, and on the review list are The Lost Fleet series, Mecha Corps, Posleen War Series, Gear School, EVE Protomecha, Bolo, Starship Troopers, Old Man's War, and Germline. Now onto the review.   For the master list of reviews, click here.

The Starship Troopers novel by Robert Heinlein is a science fiction classic that is the grand father of powered armour troopers and wars against alien bugs.  There have been two great games based on the original concept (not the movies).  This novel is in a class by itself in the military SF genre.  Heinlein creates some great battle scenes with the mobile infantry starting with the initial battle scene that includes a drop from orbit.  It's a pretty amazing piece of work considering it was published in 1959.  Much of the tech used still looks good today.  Heinlein interjected a great deal of political commentary in this book that will offend some, but I think he crafted a great story even if I don't agree with everything he says.

Revoltech Starship Troopers Figure from Japan

This is a highly recommended read where everyone should find something they like if they like military SF.  The military tech he used has influenced scores of writers after him all the way up to HALO with the ODST drop troopers.  For the Japanese, his work has also been influential with the power armour that ranges from Bubblegum Crisis to Appleseed.  In fact, there have been some great figures manufactured with the book based armour.  Also the Starship Troopers board game by Avalon Hill that was released in the late 1970s was a awesome adaptation of the work.  All the military weaponry could actually be gamed in a consistent manner (I like the board game and have a tattered copy in the closet).

Does it have a cast of characters listing? 
No.

What is the scope / scale of the story? 
While the scope of a star system spanning war is described, the story is about a mobile infantry platoon(s) waging ware against the bugs on multiple worlds.  

Does it have likeable characters?
Yes.  You get to see Juan Rico mature from a young man in boot camp into a battle-tested trooper.  This war is tough and he pulls through.  

Does it have an entertaining storyline?
Yes.  The battles are done well and the characters and story move along well even with the flashbacks to high school.

How is the internal consistency / plausibility?
Good world building for an alternate future Earth where full citizenship is granted by service.  Bugs with their hive and brains are good too.  Military tech is believably described and the story is tight. 

What cool bonus features are there? 
Mobile infantry powered battle armour, hand flamers, and mini-nukes.  Bugs, lots of bugs and they're all being burned down.