One reason I’ve chosen not to spend too much time on examples of physical courage is that it’s been done many times. In the case of Ben Thompson’s Badass of the Week, it’s been done really well, for a very long time.
Each week, as you might have guessed, the site features a diferrent badass: usually an individual, usually a real historical figure, but occasionally a fictional character or a group of people known for being particularly, well, badass. Each entry is a fantastic read–Ben manages somehow to make battles and animal attacks funny while impressing his reader with how incomprehensibly brave the week’s subject was.
I haven’t taken the time to count how many badasses are on the site, but it’s at least 400. When you go check his site out, pack a lunch. You’ll be there for a while.
And be aware: the site, as you may have guessed, features a ridiculous amount of foul language, in addition to descriptions of wanton violence. If either of these offends you, avoid this site.
You can find Ben’s book Badass on Amazon.