| 2022 | The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America's Bird | Los Angeles Times Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |
| 2018 | The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea | Pulitzer Prize (Biography and History) source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · History | |
| 2018 | The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea | Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Nonfiction | |
| 2017 | The Gulf | Kirkus Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Nonfiction | |
| 2017 | The Gulf: The Making of An American Sea | National Book Critics Circle Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Nonfiction | |
| 2017 | The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea | Booklist Editors' Choice source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Adult Books: History | |
| 2017 | The Gulf: The Making of An American Sea | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2017 | The Gulf | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2017 | The Gulf | New York Times 100 Notable Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2017 | The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea | Library Journal Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Science & Technology | |