This is a collection of primary sources from world history. It's many of the major works you'd need to read in a freshman survey course - which is where I read this. There are also introductions to each document and questions for discussion. As much as it's meant for a history course, if you'd like one handy paperback that included the major works of world history, this one is a good choice. Also, it's usually two volumes.
It gets three stars because it's dry as hell and I hated the TA that I had for discussions of this book. She was just awful and took all of the fun out of the class. I hate her.