ive read most of hamilton's books and he is a very very talented sci-fi writer. He isnt 'the best" that title probably goes to something like dune or something by isaac asimov. I think its safe to say he is the best or among the best contemporary sci-fi writers. At least he pumps out books at a decent rate, unlike most of his rivals *cough* Grey Bear *cough*
I am reading the nano flower right now, its a good book but i hate it how its set like 20 years after the first 2 so a lot of the good characters are missing or are too old, or have changed a lot.