It's surprising that I never got around to reading this book earlier. I read it last week because it was the subject of our podcast discussion. 
 I can tell why the book is referred to as controversial but my overall take was that the book is enjoyable and puts forth some ideas and questions that make you wonder. I'm not sure whether I would refer to the society in the book as fascist; there's a lot of personal freedom, no racism, some sexism and peace. Heinlein was way ahead of the curve when he wrote this book nearly 60 years ago. The fact that the book remains completely readable even today is a testament to his vision of society. 
 A lot of his ideas seem a bit difficult to digest. The analogy between housebreaking a puppy and raising a child seem a bit too archaic. The existence of an elite class (the citizens) and the fact that only citizens can vote is interesting. Our society could do with a good balance of authority and responsibility as the book so clearly believes in. Still, the book can be enjoyed without subscribing to the author's beliefs. 
 While war and military service is glorified, Heinlein has chosen to avoid discussing the downsides of war. The emotional and mental toll it takes on soldiers. While PTSD may not have been recognised as a side-effect of combat when the book was written, it is clear that war has adverse effects on those who participate in it and are witness to the horrors of it. Our hero makes a lot of friends and tends to lose them fairly quickly but does not seem affected by it at all. 
 The book is definitely worth your time and a must read. 4/5