The Community College in the Twenty-First Century demonstrates that, while it is the most important institution in higher education, the community college is losing its way. The recent success of two year colleges has hidden the varied reasons for this loss of direction and energy. Michael Scott Cain uses a systems approach, rather than the typical linear perspective, to expose the weaknesses present in community colleges. He then discusses the strengths of community colleges, and suggests methods of utilizing those strengths to fortify these institutions as they enter the next century. He provides a specific and distinct plan, covering all the major aspects of a community college, that will lead not only its survival, but to its growth and potential achievement as an essential institution of education.