Pivotal moments in medicine during the German Empire - and a woman makes history. Volume 1: The birth of a new era and the glorious years of the young Empire. Brandenburg, 1876: The gardener's daughter Ricarda saves the life of Countess Freystetten's daughter. In gratitude, Countess Henriette takes the 13-year-old Ricarda to Berlin. Her house on Unter den Linden becomes a social hub. But soon, Rica experiences the darker sides of the capital. No one cares for sick women and children living in filthy backyards. She wants to help these people. In Germany, women are not allowed to study medicine, but Ricarda is determined to follow her dream - against all odds. This gripping and opulent historical saga spans two volumes about the doctor Dr. Ricarda Thomasius.