A fleet in being is a military strategy for a naval force that influences events because of its location and size without engaging in direct action. The sheer existence and potential threat of the fleet is enough to alter enemy operations and policy, acting as a deterrent and limiting the enemy's offensive capabilities.

Deterrence and Denial includes eighteen case studies, ranging from the late seventeenth century to the present that showcase the operational and strategic effectiveness of a fleet in being. Highlighted is the deterrent value of navies-what a fleet in being prevents from occurring in peacetime-as well as what it denies enemies in wartime. Each chapter is written by a prominent historian who explores the concept of fleet in being in historical and geographic contexts to demonstrate what the strategy has accomplished.