Reddit reviews The History of Piracy (Dover Maritime)

Yep, as late as the 19 century, the European Great Powers who had huge fleets still paid tribute to the pirates, this was ended by the US who basically created the Navy in order to fight them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_Wars

I suupose the Order recieved donations since it was a religious Order. About books, I don't know, but this is a great book on the pirates and gives some great info on the subject

http://www.amazon.com/The-History-Piracy-Dover-Maritime/dp/0486461831