Tinker's Dam follows the life adventures of Ted Wilson from his pre-adolescent years to his life as a middle-aged man. Ted is an only child who has a close but complex relationship with his loving mother. He strives hard to be the perfect son in order to meet her lofty Christian expectations, but his values and life choices are often challenged by his best friend, Tinker Stanley. Tinker is a cynical, self-serving person who considers Ted's idealistic values and "naive" world view to be personal liabilities. The book's story addresses the inherent tensions in this unlikely friendship and poignantly details Ted's struggles for self-acceptance and inner peace. At times heartwarming and at other times tragic, it is a familiar story that all people, in varying degrees, can identify with.