Introduction to BattleTech

Introduction to Battletech was not a standalone product; instead, it was part of the completely redesigned fourth edition of the BattleTech boxed set that was released in 1996. As such, the booklet does not have its own product code, nor does it have an imprint.

The other booklets in the box were one titled Rulebook, which featured a "Credits" imprint with summary design and writing attributions for the boxed set, and a Record Sheets booklet without a cover. With the inclusion of the Introduction to BattleTech booklet, the game universe description was physically separated from the core game rules for the first time in the boxed sets. Previously, there had been only one rulebook and the universe description had been strewn in throughout the rules, or been a subsection in the rulebook. Subsequent editions would keep it separate, though the booklet underwent small changes and was retitled to "Classic BattleTech Universe" in the 2003 edition and then to Inner Sphere at a Glance from 2007 onwards.

Contents
The Introduction to BattleTech booklet is divided into five sections titled Introduction, BattleTech Quick Start Rules, A Brief History of the Inner Sphere, The BattleMech, and Technical Readout:

This is less than half a page, set next to the table of contents.
 * Introduction

The Quick Start Rules take up 10 pages, and include the "First Run" training scenario. Later iterations of the boxed set would remove the Quick Start Rules from the universe book and move them to a separate booklet.
 * Quick Start Rules

"A Brief History of the Inner Sphere" includes a presentation of the Great Houses of the Inner Sphere and their rulers as of 3049, and briefly covers minor and periphery powers and mercenaries. This chapter is attributed to Michael A. Stackpole in the (other) rulebook contained in the boxed set.
 * A Brief History of the Inner Sphere

This section provides an in-universe description of the working principles of a BattleMech and its subsystems. It leads directly into the Technical Readout section.
 * The BattleMech

Appended to the preceding chapter within the book but treated as a separate chapter within the table of contents, this section offers brief Technical Readout-style writeups for the 24 'Mechs featured in the box, each half a page long with accompanying artwork.
 * Technical Readout