| 2024 | Politics on the Edge | British Book Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Non-Fiction: Narrative Book of the Year | |
| 2023 | Politics on the Edge | The Telegraph Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |
| 2023 | How Not to Be a Politician | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2023 | Politics on the Edge | The Guardian Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Politics | |
| 2023 | Politics on the Edge: A Memoir from Within | Financial Times Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Politics | |
| 2017 | The Marches | The Orwell Prize (book prizes) source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Book | |
| 2016 | The Marches: Border Walks with My Father | The Irish Times Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books of the Year | |
| 2007 | The Prince of the Marshes | Dayton Literary Peace Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Nonfiction | |
| 2007 | Occupational Hazards: My Time Governing in Iraq | The Orwell Prize (book prizes) source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Shortlist · Book | |
| 2007 | Occupational Hazards | Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Non-Fiction | |
| 2006 | The Places in Between | New York Times 10 Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2006 | The Places in Between | New York Times 100 Notable Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2006 | The Places in Between | Entertainment Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2006 | The Prince of the Marshes: And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraq | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Nonfiction | |
| 2006 | The Places In Between | Amazon Editors' Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Top 50 | |
| 2006 | The Prince of the Marshes: And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraq | Amazon Editors' Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Top 50 | |