Review: Le Yankee Noir by Samuel E. Pair

Earnestly exploring the perennial struggle of being a stranger in a strange land, Le Yankee Noir: The Power of Acceptance by Samuel E. Pair is a powerful reflection on communication, respect, and the revelatory nature of connection.

In the midst of a modest career in the aerospace industry, Samuel E. Pair was offered an unexpected opportunity to travel to France and oversee the rescue operation for the new A330 Airbus propulsion system that was behind schedule and at risk of failing entirely. Initially leaving his family behind and heading for Toulouse, with no knowledge of French and no connections in the country, the author was immediately immersed in the complexities of life in a foreign land – from bathroom idiosyncrasies and the nuance of first impressions to odd Monday morning rituals and managing a multicultural team with precision and clear communication.

Across the years, as he traveled to various European countries, Pair experienced a range of managerial roles, forming relationships he never expected, and readers are granted intimate access to his inner life, and poignant self-reflections from the perspective of hindsight. Due to his experience as a Black man in a position of leadership and authority, he already expected to be held to a higher set of standards than his peers on the other side of the Atlantic. Working in such a unique situation demanded humility, flexibility, and the willingness to collaborate, learn, and solve problems with engineers and peers as equals.

Rather than lament the extra hurdles and doubts thrown his way, this is a story of a man who learned how to take charge, silence critics, and earn the respect he always deserved. Eventually, he was accepted by the locals, and his professional circle, even though the purpose of his time in Toulouse had yet to be fulfilled. This slow shift in the story highlights yet another paradox of thriving as a Black American in France – experiencing more acceptance and meritocratic respect abroad than he would in his home country.

For those who are curious how the sausage gets made in the aeronautic industry, the author’s professional journey is also a behind-the-scenes look at the intense pressure and unique challenges of high-stakes engineering projects. However, that is far from the focus – the prose occasionally dips into technical details of Airbus construction and the supply chain issues of a multi-continent collaborative project, yet the narrative generally feels like an inspirational guide to success in challenging positions, not a dense manual on an aerospace engineering career. There are some chapters where the pace drags, largely due to excessive procedural explanations of conversations or challenges, and other experiential anecdotes that feel redundant, but there is an unfiltered honesty in Pair’s voice that is undeniably compelling.

With the stated goal of inspiring greater intercultural acceptance across generations and borders, this vividly recounted memoir is a probing look into deeply ingrained beliefs, expectations, and social norms, as well as the potential for liberation in unexpected places, resulting in a timely, enlightening, and heartening read.