Set around 2040, it describes the story of Jeff Baker, an inventor who revolutionises the world by creating the ultimate method of information storage and, instead of selling it, offers it open source.

"[1] The story envisions that after the invention of the "datasphere", traditional publishing industries finally lost control on their copyright, and the development of new novels, music and movies collapsed.

The United Kingdom remains a part of a more closely integrated European Union, with violent separatist movements in many member states.

Seventy-eight-year-old Jeff Baker has revolutionised the world by inventing the ultimate method of information storage and allowing free use of it with no profits going into his own pocket.

His son Tim has a fairly typical frustrated life as a rich teenager, living with his famous father and distant mother.

His life falling apart, Tim runs away to live with his Aunt (Jeff's sister), stops drinking and doing drugs, and makes friends with his mother.

Misspent Youth is set in the same universe as Hamilton's later Commonwealth Saga, consisting of Pandora's Star (2004) and Judas Unchained (2005).

Publishers Weekly was not very positive in their review saying that "scenes of passion and parent-child conflict are not particularly interesting, and the unconvincing sentimental ending likewise disappoints.