There are three fundamental ingredients of the immense success of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS): the relatively simple and robust instrumental setup, the possibility to do quick analysis after virtually no sample preparation, and the unique and versatile combination of qualitative and quantitative analytical capabilities. These features have made LIBS an exciting and powerful workhorse for both scientific laboratories and industrial facilities. This introductory chapter gives a general overview of the principle of operation, basic instrumental components, and the overall analytical performance of LIBS. A comprehensive list of references is also provided as pointers for readers who are interested in exploring the capabilities of this laser-based plasma emission spectroscopy method.