Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) is often referred to as the father of the modern short story, and his work as a dramatist is equally important. His classic plays The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, Three Sisters, and Uncle Vanya are among the most performed in the world.

Peter Constantine’s translations include The Complete Works of Isaac Babel (Norton), Within Four Walls: The Correspondence Between Hannah Arendt and Heinrich Blucher, 1936–1968 (Harcourt Brace), and Elegy for Kosovo (Arcade Books) by Ismail Kadare. His translation of Six Early Stories (Sun & Moon Press) by Thomas Mann was awarded the PEN Translation Prize, and The Undiscovered Chekhov: Thirty-Eight New Stories (Seven Stories Press) received the National Translation Award.