Retrogenesis 1 — Robert Swann

In the aftermath of catastrophic global financial collapse, which all but destroys even the most advanced countries, two scientist discover an anomaly which in the right hands can help to save mankind but in the wrong hands has the power to destroy it. To protect their discovery the scientists decide to build a new society populated with carefully selected like-minded specialists, offering them intelectual freedom and a completely new way of life. The enormous destructive power of their discovery is uncovered by a brutal emergent Super Power and a megalomaniac renegade politician who, for personal reasons, wants the discovery for himself and will use any means to get it.