Mr. Alterman talked about his forthcoming book When Presidents Lie: A History of Official Deception and Its Consequences, published by Viking Books. His book draws a distinction between “private lies” and “lies of state,” and concentrates on Presidents who have committed the latter. He argued that President Bush lied and intentionally misled the country into war and has “on many occasions said things that were patently untrue.” He responded to audience telephone calls, faxes, and electronic mail.