Do i need a ph.d. to produce an edited book?

[imported_knowledge_seeker]

I am college graduate, having majored in History. I often read primary documents for fun and it occurred to me that many authors publish edited version of original sources. For example the book titled "The American Puritans: Their Prose and Poetry" was edited by Perry Miller. While searching through this book I noticed that the primary documents Miller provides of the Puritans is verbatim. He simply begins each primary document with a couple of original paragraphs and then essentially copies the exact material. I know Miller is an eminent historian but can anyone do this? I have a lot of time on my hands and was wondering if I could do the same. Hopefully some educated scholars can provide an answer. BTW I only have a Bachelor's but copying material does not require in depth analysis. I begin graduate study next semester. Thanks