[1] The book is notable for devoting entire chapters to the development and uses of individual or small groupings of typefaces.

Beyond Anatomy of a Typeface Lawson has considered and discussed the classification of types.

Within Anatomy, Lawson arranges the typefaces by classification.

In his preface, Lawson qualifies his classification: "After using this system in the teaching of typography over a thirty-year period, I know that it is reasonably effective in the initial study of printing types.

A classification system, after all, is simply a tool ... Its primary purpose is to help people become familiar with these forms preparatory to putting them to effective and constructive typographic use.